Gawambaraay facts for kids
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
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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
Language
The Gawambaraay or Kawambarai language is a dialect of the Gamilaraay language group.
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.
People
Richardson affirmed that the Kawambarai were closely connected to the Gamilaroi.
Alternative names
- Cooinburri
- Gawambarai
- Goinberai
- Guinbrai, Guinberai
- Kawarnparai
- Koinbere, Koinberi
- Koinberri
- Mole tribe
- Wirriri
- Wirriwirri
- Wooratherie
Source:
Some words
- bubbeen/bobbeen/babin (father)
- gunnie/koonie/gunnee/gunnibong (mother)
- kubbun, gibrigal (goeen) (gunwan) (whiteman)
- meerie/merri (tame dog)
- womboin, bundar
