The Gawambaraay (Kawambarai) are an Aboriginal Australian people of the state of New South Wales, closely connected to the Gamilaraay (Kamilaroi) people. Their traditional lands are in the central–western district of New South Wales

Name

The ethnonym is thought to derive from a language name, kawam being equivalent to guin, and bearing the sense of 'no'. One other word used denoting the tribe, Wirriri also seems to reflect a word for no, namely wir:i[1]

Language

The Gawambaraay or Kawambarai language is a dialect of the Gamilaraay language group.[2]

Country

According to Norman Tindale's estimate, the Kawambarai held sway over roughly 8,000 square miles (21,000 km2) of tribal lands, concentrated on the areas of the upper Castlereagh River, the middle the middle sectors of the Macquarie River and part of Liverpool Plains. Their southern extension ran to the vicinity of present-day Dubbo.[1]

People

Richardson affirmed that the Kawambarai were closely connected to the Gamilaroi.[1]

Alternative names

  • Cooinburri
  • Gawambarai
  • Goinberai
  • Guinbrai, Guinberai
  • Kawarnparai
  • Koinbere, Koinberi
  • Koinberri
  • Mole tribe
  • Wirriri
  • Wirriwirri
  • Wooratherie

Source: Tindale 1974, p. 195

Some words

  • bubbeen/bobbeen/babin (father)
  • gunnie/koonie/gunnee/gunnibong (mother)
  • kubbun, gibrigal (goeen)[3] (gunwan)[4][5] (whiteman)
  • meerie/merri (tame dog)
  • womboin, bundar

Notes

    Citations

    1. 1 2 3 Tindale 1974, p. 195.
    2. "D39: Gawambaraay". AIATSIS Collection (AUSTLANG). 26 July 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
    3. Dubbo Magistrates 1887, p. 372.
    4. Rouse 1887, p. 370.
    5. Gunther 1887, p. 368.

    Sources

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