Wudjari facts for kids

The Wudjari were an Aboriginal Australian people of the Noongar cultural group of the southern region of Western Australia.

Country

The Wudjari's traditional lands are estimated to have extended over some 6,900 square miles (18,000 km²), encompassing the southern coastal area from the Gairdner River eastwards, as far as Point Malcolm. The inland extension was to about 30 miles. Kent, Ravensthorpe, Fanny Cove, Esperance, and Cape Arid all have been developed over the old Wudjari lands.

Early history

There was a western/eastern divide among the Wudjari bands. At the earliest point of contact with white explorers, it was noted that the western divisions were on the move, shifting towards Bremer Bay. The groups to the east of Fanny Cove and the Young River were called Bardonjunga/Bardok.

Curiosity

In 1855 an edited account was published of a shipwrecked castaway, called William Jackman, purporting to relate 18 months of captivity among Australian cannibal tribes somewhere on the Great Australian Bight. The story proved very popular, and the narrative seen as fascinating, but suspicions have long existed as to its authenticity. In 2002, the historian Martin Gibbs analysed both the book and its historical background and context, and concluded that some elements certainly bore traces of familiarity with the Nyungar cultural bloc. In particular he conjectured that parts of the tale might well reflect experience of living among the Wudjari, or Nyunga, or even the Ngadjunmaia.

Alternative names

Source: Tindale 1974, p. 261

Some words

• kooning. (baby)
• kun. (mother)
• mann. (father)
• mookine. (wild dog)
• twart (tame dog)