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Wagyl

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515: 535: 38: 365: 218: 318:, and is supposed still to reside deep beneath springs. As the Wagyl slithered over the land, his track shaped the sand dunes, his body scoured out the course of the rivers; where he occasionally stopped for a rest, he created bays and lakes. Piles of rocks are said to be his droppings, and such sites are considered sacred. As he moved, his scales scraped off and became the forests and woodlands of the region. 205: 448:
by two tribal elders to learn the law. After the elders went out to hunt, the boys ventured off to discover what had caused a loud noise, only to find the Indian Ocean. Thirsty, they drank from the water to find it was salty. Figuring the water further out was sweeter, they ventured out into the
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and Australind where it formed the Leschenault Estuary. It then came back to Collie via the Collie river to Minninup pool. He then gave to the Wiilman people law and language before the Wiilmans danced and sang for the Wagyl as a farewell. The Wagyl then went back to Minninup pool which is its
236:, and that it inhabits water sources. In contrast, others say it is simply the creator and maintainer of fresh water sources. However, in all Noongar groups it is a central figure and responsible for giving life or sustenance for life to the people who are the custodians of its land. 440:
In the Charnok Woman myth, the Charnok Woman collects spirit children following the path created by the Wagyl across a valley created by the Wagyl and is known as the Swan River. The path led her north to where the Wagyl was creating lakes.
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The Wagyl is often characterised as being green and smokish grey in colour, while also blending into the ocean. It is also characterised as being either female or male. Like the Rainbow serpent, it is depicted as a snake or
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having several dialects, the Wagyl is referred to by different groups by different names. Varieties include Waugal, Waagal, Wargyl, Waakal, Waakle, Woggal, Wogal, Waagle, Warrgul and Warkal. In the
307:, located beside bodies of water. The Noongar people were appointed by the Wagyl as the guardians of the land, and the Wagyl was seen by certain tribal elders who spoke to the dreamtime being. 314:
is said to represent the body of the Wagyl, which meandered over the land creating the curves and contours of the hills and gullies. The being is strongly associated with rivers, lakes like
397:. In the Dreamtime story of Wave Rock, the Ballardong people believe that the Wagyl shaped the rock's formation. Another rock believed by the Ballardong to have been shaped by the Wagyl is 521: 1194: 259:, it fought with a crocodile and used its tail to separate the salt and fresh water of the ocean and river from each other. The Wagyl is also said to have rested at the base of 1143: 1075: 579:
On 13 November 2020, a mural in Guildford depicting the Wagyl was unveiled by WA Minister for Water Dave Kelly as part of the Splash of Colour program launched in 2017.
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Due to its deep association with the water, it is said that when the water is murky and dark the Wagyl was swimming and that one shouldn't swim in that water.
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In Noongar mythology, stories about the Wagyl vary among the 14 different Noongar groups. Some groups state that the Wagyl is the ruler of the
964: 776: 413:'s Karda myth, the Wagyl prevents Crocodile from entering the Swan River after his tail was torn off by Shark, which eventually formed 900: 590:, and local schools and artists. The mural is also part of the Splash of Colour program launched in 2017. The murals were praised by 474:
resting place to the Wiilman people. They also believe that if its resting place is harmed, all the water in the world would dry up.
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Australian, c=AU; o=Government of Western Australia; ou=Department of Culture and the Arts;ou=State Library of Western.
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On 20 July 2023, a mural depicting the Wagyl was unveiled at a water pump station in Gosnells by the Minister for Water
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water to only be swallowed up by the Wagyl. The Wagyl then ventured back to the coast where it spat the boys out as two
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Waagal takes its name from the serpent. Erwann Texier-Harth, the individual behind Waagal, incorporates the Aboriginal
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Van den Berg, Rosemary (1993). Brewster, Anne; Campbell, Marion; McGuire, Ann; Trees, Kathryn (eds.).
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where she gave birth to her young. After they matured, they went east from the inlet and formed the
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and Lake Preston. Thinking they went south, it ventured south and created the flat land around the
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One of the earliest description of the Wagyl by European settlers was by Francis Armstrong of the
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to pray to the Wagyl to end the drought. The Wagyl then came out of the ocean and created the
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in Perth, which is seen as a sacred site. The Wagyl also has significant connection to the
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Journal of the South Pacific Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies
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Sharing the dreaming : Nyoongar Aboriginal stories of the dreaming : the wagyl
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Giver of life, or sustenance for life, to the people who are the custodians of its land
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in 1836, where he described stones believed by the Noongars to be eggs of the Wagyl.
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The Darling Scarp as seen from Kings Park. It is seen as being the body of the Wagyl.
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in Perth over the Swan river is sometimes interpreted as representing the Wagyl.
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in the 1980s, conflicting attitudes around the Wagyl arose. The area is known as
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also believes the Wagyl as the creator of the rivers, lakes and swamps around
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The Waugal Aboriginal Corporation is an Aboriginal art organization based in
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When the Government of Western Australia wanted to redevelop land around the
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The Future Eaters: an Ecological History of the Australian Lands and People
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in Noongar, and is seen in some stories as a resting point of the Wagyl.
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A track marker from the Bibbulmun Track featuring a symbol of the Wagyl
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During a serious drought, Noongar elders ventured to the coast of the
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Western Australia. Dept. of Conservation and Land Management (1998),
422: 275: 256: 222: 469:, where it created hills and rivers along the way. It then went to 217: 819:"Spirituality: The Waugal or Great Serpent-like Dreamtime Spirit" 462: 129: 93: 586:. The project was led by Nerolie Bynder in partnership with the 421:. Following this, Crocodile was told by the Wagyl to go back to 1144:"Aboriginal artists make a splash in Guildford for NAIDOC Week" 618: 554: 341:. However the Wagyl went out to look for her young and created 278:. Indeed, Porongarup means 'spirit gathering place', from the 777:"Things will be a bit different this Sir Doug Nicholls Round" 538:
Matagarup bridge during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee
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In the Mooro myth of two lost boys, two boys were brought to
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The Wagyl created many local landscape features between the
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rivers and other waterways and landforms around present day
1169:"Waugal and banksia murals shine on refreshed water assets" 382: 1093: 181:, with a length of five to six metres (16 to 20 ft). 233: 204: 239:
The Wagyl is responsible for shaping and creating the
1076:"This is the wildest 40 seconds you'll have in Perth" 140:, from the culture based around the south-west of 1217: 163:The Wagyl stories may represent the survival in 144:. The Noongar describe the Wagyl as a snakelike 208:A sign depicting the Wagyl at Kings Park, Perth 529: 637:, Dept. of Conservation & Land Management 494: 426: 294: 288: 282: 148:creature responsible for the creation of the 938:Corporation, Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal. 869: 758:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( 940:"Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal Corporation" 477: 823:South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council 432: 36: 1236:Australian Aboriginal legendary creatures 944:Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal Corporation 160:and the south-west of Western Australia. 533: 465:, the Wagyl travelled from the north to 363: 216: 203: 1047: 937: 813: 811: 542:The Wagyl is depicted in the 1982 play 1218: 1073: 732: 677:"The Age of the Megafauna: The Beasts" 359: 1043: 1041: 1016: 1014: 1012: 933: 931: 912: 910: 837: 624: 863: 808: 771: 769: 710: 708: 706: 704: 702: 700: 698: 372: 1119:"KEEPING INDIGENOUS CULTURE STRONG" 13: 1048:Konishi, Shino (28 October 2021). 1038: 1009: 928: 907: 849:State Library of Western Australia 717:"NYUNGAR STORIES ABOUT THE WAAKAL" 714: 669: 502: 255:. When it reached the area around 14: 1262: 766: 695: 456: 197:dialect, the Wagyl is called the 845:"Swan River Stories: The Waugal" 513: 105:Australian Aboriginal equivalent 1187: 1161: 1136: 1111: 1086: 1067: 983: 957: 916: 404: 385:, where it travelled along the 201:(meaning 'hairy-faced snake'). 138:Australian Aboriginal mythology 1251:Swan River (Western Australia) 893: 783: 726: 243:, creating the sharp bends at 1: 1231:Australian Aboriginal deities 1074:Rachel, Lees (28 July 2023). 662: 546:by Jack Davis. The design of 221:Information on the Wagyl at 212: 7: 1148:www.watercorporation.com.au 991:"Film | Kaartdijin Noongar" 919:"Indigenous Creation Story" 795:consultation.dplh.wa.gov.au 597: 530:Influence on modern culture 368:Lands of the Noongar people 85:Southwest Western Australia 16:Deity of the Noongar people 10: 1267: 293:, 'Gathering' and 995:www.noongarculture.org.au 739:webarchive.slwa.wa.gov.au 567: 564:into many of his pieces. 104: 99: 89: 81: 64: 47: 35: 28: 23: 478:Post-European settlement 1246:Rainbow serpent deities 495: 433: 427: 295: 289: 283: 184: 128:, and variants) is the 539: 369: 225: 209: 178:Wonambi naracoortensis 648:Flannery, Tim (2002) 537: 393:, going also through 367: 274:and off the coast of 220: 207: 132:manifestation of the 1173:The National Tribune 604:Aboriginal mythology 287:, 'Spirit', 199:Ngunnunguddy Gnuditj 169:Australian megafauna 1022:"City of Joondalup" 360:Specific variations 347:Leschenault Estuary 303:tend to be natural 1123:Creative Australia 971:. 20 November 2023 851:. 23 November 2010 681:ABC Science Online 625:General references 540: 370: 265:Busselton wetlands 226: 210: 588:Water Corporation 437:(scrub turkey). 379:Ballardong people 373:Ballardong people 251:, as well as the 171:, as there was a 142:Western Australia 114: 113: 1258: 1210: 1209: 1207: 1205: 1191: 1185: 1184: 1182: 1180: 1165: 1159: 1158: 1156: 1154: 1140: 1134: 1133: 1131: 1129: 1115: 1109: 1108: 1106: 1104: 1090: 1084: 1083: 1080:The Courier Mail 1071: 1065: 1064: 1062: 1060: 1054:The Conversation 1045: 1036: 1035: 1033: 1031: 1026: 1018: 1007: 1006: 1004: 1002: 987: 981: 980: 978: 976: 961: 955: 954: 952: 950: 935: 926: 925: 923: 914: 905: 904: 897: 891: 890: 888: 886: 872:"Changing Years" 867: 861: 860: 858: 856: 841: 835: 834: 832: 830: 815: 806: 805: 803: 801: 787: 781: 780: 773: 764: 763: 757: 749: 747: 745: 730: 724: 723: 721: 715:Sandra, Harben. 712: 693: 692: 690: 688: 673: 645: 644: 642: 592:Chris Tallentire 548:Matagarup Bridge 517: 498: 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1211: 1186: 1175:. 20 July 2023 1160: 1135: 1110: 1085: 1066: 1037: 1008: 997:. 28 June 2012 982: 956: 927: 906: 892: 862: 836: 807: 782: 779:. 4 June 2021. 765: 725: 694: 667: 666: 664: 661: 660: 659: 646: 626: 623: 622: 621: 616: 611: 606: 599: 596: 569: 566: 531: 528: 520: 519: 512: 511: 510: 504: 501: 479: 476: 463:Wiilman people 458: 457:Wiilman people 455: 425:and talk with 406: 403: 374: 371: 361: 358: 214: 211: 186: 183: 165:oral tradition 120:(also written 112: 111: 106: 102: 101: 97: 96: 91: 87: 86: 83: 79: 78: 76: 75: 72: 68: 66: 62: 61: 59: 58: 55: 51: 49: 45: 44: 41: 33: 32: 29: 26: 25: 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1263: 1252: 1249: 1247: 1244: 1242: 1239: 1237: 1234: 1232: 1229: 1227: 1224: 1223: 1221: 1200: 1199:www.wa.gov.au 1196: 1190: 1174: 1170: 1164: 1149: 1145: 1139: 1124: 1120: 1114: 1099: 1095: 1089: 1081: 1077: 1070: 1055: 1051: 1044: 1042: 1023: 1017: 1015: 1013: 996: 992: 986: 970: 966: 960: 945: 941: 934: 932: 920: 917:Joe, Walley. 913: 911: 902: 896: 881: 877: 873: 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Retrieved 680: 671: 649: 639:, retrieved 633: 609:Burlong Pool 581: 578: 571: 558:one-man band 552: 543: 541: 506: 488: 481: 460: 443: 439: 408: 405:Mooro people 399:Boyagin Rock 376: 355: 343:Lake Clifton 323:Indian Ocean 320: 309: 301:sacred sites 269: 238: 227: 198: 188: 176: 162: 125: 121: 117: 115: 90:Ethnic group 18: 949:8 September 641:15 November 451:tuart trees 316:Lake Monger 272:Porongarups 261:Mount Eliza 189:Due to the 167:of extinct 100:Equivalents 48:Other names 1220:Categories 1204:1 December 1179:1 December 1153:1 December 1128:1 December 1103:1 December 1059:1 December 1030:1 December 1001:2 December 975:1 December 885:6 December 855:6 December 829:6 December 687:6 December 663:References 562:didgeridoo 496:Goonininup 411:Mooro clan 387:Avon River 351:Australind 331:Serpentine 327:Peel inlet 241:Swan River 446:Mindarrie 423:Two Rocks 391:Guildford 305:sun-traps 276:Fremantle 257:Fremantle 223:Perth Zoo 213:Mythology 969:ABC News 754:cite web 598:See also 508:serpent. 461:For the 415:Rottnest 249:Maylands 146:Dreaming 1094:"About" 800:28 July 744:28 July 574:Pinjara 544:Kullark 471:Bunbury 409:In the 280:Noongar 245:Belmont 154:Canning 130:Noongar 94:Noongar 1098:WAAGAL 825:. 2018 683:. 2008 655:  619:Wirnpa 568:In art 555:French 467:Collie 434:Bibyur 335:Murray 284:Borong 173:python 126:Waagal 122:Waugal 82:Region 74:Female 65:Gender 57:Waagal 54:Waugal 1025:(PDF) 922:(PDF) 720:(PDF) 428:Yonga 230:Earth 158:Perth 118:Wagyl 24:Wagyl 1206:2023 1181:2023 1155:2023 1130:2023 1105:2023 1061:2023 1032:2023 1003:2015 977:2023 951:2024 887:2018 857:2018 831:2018 802:2023 760:link 746:2023 689:2018 653:ISBN 643:2012 553:The 417:and 383:York 377:The 337:and 310:The 247:and 232:and 185:Name 152:and 150:Swan 116:The 71:Male 389:to 349:at 290:Gar 234:sky 136:in 1222:: 1197:. 1171:. 1146:. 1121:. 1096:. 1078:. 1052:. 1040:^ 1011:^ 993:. 967:. 942:. 930:^ 909:^ 880:37 878:. 874:. 847:. 821:. 810:^ 793:. 768:^ 756:}} 752:{{ 737:. 697:^ 679:. 594:. 453:. 333:, 296:Up 267:. 124:, 1208:. 1183:. 1157:. 1132:. 1107:. 1082:. 1063:. 1034:. 1005:. 979:. 953:. 924:. 903:. 889:. 859:. 833:. 804:. 762:) 748:. 722:. 691:.

Index


Noongar
Rainbow Serpent
Noongar
Rainbow Serpent
Australian Aboriginal mythology
Western Australia
Dreaming
Swan
Canning
Perth
oral tradition
Australian megafauna
python
Wonambi naracoortensis
Noongar language
Wiilman Noongar


Perth Zoo
Earth
sky
Swan River
Belmont
Maylands
Canning River
Fremantle
Mount Eliza
Busselton wetlands
Porongarups

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