Wodiwodi facts for kids

The Wodiwodi people are an important group of Indigenous Australians from New South Wales. They are part of the larger Dharawal nation. You might also hear their name pronounced as Whardi Whardi. The Wodiwodi people have a rich history and deep connection to their traditional lands.

The Wodiwodi Language

The Wodiwodi people speak a language also called Wodiwodi. It is considered a dialect of the Tharawal language. In 1875, a person named William Ridley wrote down some information about the Wodiwodi language. He learned about it from Lizzie Malone, whose mother was an Indigenous person from the Shoalhaven area. Learning about their language helps us understand more about the Wodiwodi culture.

Wodiwodi Country and Land

The Wodiwodi people traditionally lived on a large area of land. Experts like Norman Tindale estimate their country covered about 1,000 square miles (2,600 square kilometers). This land stretched from north of the Shoalhaven River all the way up to Wollongong. It included the beautiful Illawarra district, Lake Illawarra, Berkeley, and Hooka Creek. Today, the descendants of the Wodiwodi people are seen as the traditional owners and caretakers of this land. They continue to look after it and share its stories.

Wodiwodi Beliefs and Stories

Like many Indigenous Australian groups, the Wodiwodi people have special stories about creation. They have a creator figure called Mirrirul. This name comes from the word mirīr, which means "sky." Other nearby tribes have a similar creator figure they call Baiame. These stories help explain how the world was made and how people should live.

Different Ways to Spell Wodiwodi

Sometimes, you might see the name Wodiwodi spelled in different ways. This is common for Indigenous names that were written down by non-Indigenous people. Some other spellings and names include:

• Woddi Woddi
• Whardi Whardi
• Illawarra (This is a name for the region where they live)

Wodiwodi Words You Can Learn

Here are a few words from the Wodiwodi language:

• būnbāri (boy)
• būrrū (kangaroo)
• jiruŋgaluŋ (white man)
• kudjaguz (child)
• mirriguŋ (dog)

Places Named After the Wodiwodi People

The Wodiwodi people are honored in the names of some places in their traditional country. For example, the Wodi Wodi Walking Track near Stanwell Park, New South Wales is named after them. This helps remember their history and connection to the land.