Regions with significant populations | |
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Languages | |
Wadawurrung, English | |
Religion | |
Australian Aboriginal mythology, Christianity | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Boonerwrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurong, Wurundjeri see List of Indigenous Australian group names |
Wathaurong, also called the Wathaurung and Wadawurrung, are an Indigenous Australian tribe living in the area near Melbourne, Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula. They are part of the Kulin alliance. The Wathaurung language was spoken by 25 clans south of the Werribee River and the Bellarine Peninsula to Streatham. They were sometimes referred to by Europeans as the Barrabool people. They have inhabited the area for at least the last 25,000 years, with 140 archaeological sites having been found in the region, indicating significant activity over that period.
The Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation, a Registered Aboriginal Party since 21 May 2009, represents the Indigenous people for the Geelong and Ballarat areas, [1][2] though there is considerable internal disagreement between the two regional groupings, which regard themselves as heirs to culturally and linguistic distinct groups. The Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, based in Geelong, also has a role in managing Wathaurong Cultural Heritage, for example through its ownership of the Wurdi Youang Aboriginal stone arrangement at Mount Rothwell.
Wathaurong is a Pama-Nyungan language, belonging to the Kulin sub-branch of the Kulinic language family.