Wiyabal

The Wiyabal (also Widjabal, possibly from confusion of the letter ⟨j⟩ in the older spelling Wijabal) are an Aboriginal Australian people of the state of New South Wales. They may be a clan of the Bundjalung people.

Country

Norman Tindale assigned the Widyabal about 600 square miles (1,600 km²) of territory on the Upper Richmond River, running south from Kyogle to the area in the vicinity of Casino, with their eastern limits at Dunoon.

They have been described as a clan of the Bundjalung people.

Alternative names

Ettrick tribe
Noowidal
Nowgyjul
Waibra
Watchee
Watji

Source: Tindale 1974, p. 200

Some words

groomon or kroomon (kangaroo)
kooning (mother)
marmong (father)
tobury (tame dog)
tucki (white man)

Source: Edwards 1887, p. 288

Notable people

Rhoda Roberts, journalist and artistic director
Frank Roberts (1945–2011), boxer, one of three first Indigenous Australians to participate in the Olympics, in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics

References

Citations

↑ Tindale 1974, p. 200.
1 2 Roberts, Rhoda (25 January 2019). "Indigenous arts supremo Rhoda Roberts". The Sydney Morning Herald (Interview). Interviewed by Baker, Candida. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
↑ "Australia - Aboriginal Mythology". Jane's Oceania. 31 May 2012. Archived from the original on 30 April 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
↑ Smith, Matthew (1 March 2025). "Indigenous boxer and Olympian fought for his country, but battled for respect and recognition". ABC News. Retrieved 3 March 2025.

Sources

Edwards, Charles (1887). "Richmond River" (PDF). In Curr, Edward Micklethwaite (ed.). The Australian race: its origin, languages, customs, place of landing in Australia and the routes by which it spread itself over the continent. Vol. 3. Melbourne: J. Ferres. pp. 286–289.
Hargrave, E. (21 February 1903a). "Aboriginal dialects". Science of Man. 6 (1): 24–28.
Hargrave, E. (21 March 1903b). "Aboriginal dialects". Science of Man. 6 (2): 24–28.
Hargrave, E. (22 April 1903c). "Aboriginal dialects". Science of Man. 6 (3): 39–42.
Hargrave, E. (25 May 1903d). "Aboriginal dialects". Science of Man. 6 (4): 54–55.
Mathews, R. H. (1898). "Initiation Ceremonies of Australian Tribes. Appendix Nguttan initiation ceremony". Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. 37 (157): 54–73. JSTOR 983694.
Tindale, Norman Barnett (1974). "Widjabal (NSW)". Aboriginal Tribes of Australia: Their Terrain, Environmental Controls, Distribution, Limits, and Proper Names. Australian National University Press. ISBN 978-0-708-10741-6.

[FOOTNOTETindale1974200-1] Tindale 1974, p. 200.

[baker2019-2] 1 2 Roberts, Rhoda (25 January 2019). "Indigenous arts supremo Rhoda Roberts". The Sydney Morning Herald (Interview). Interviewed by Baker, Candida. Retrieved 3 September 2024.

[3] "Australia - Aboriginal Mythology". Jane's Oceania. 31 May 2012. Archived from the original on 30 April 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2015.

[smith2025-4] Smith, Matthew (1 March 2025). "Indigenous boxer and Olympian fought for his country, but battled for respect and recognition". ABC News. Retrieved 3 March 2025.

v t e Aboriginal peoples in New South Wales
Aboriginal language groups	Yugambeh-Bandjalangic
Aboriginal nations	Koori Kuringgai Murri (mainly Queensland bordering NSW) Western Bundjalung people
Aboriginal peoples	Anēwan Arakwal Awabakal Banbai Barranbinya Bidjigal Bigambul Birrbay Bundjalung Western Bundjalung Darkinyung Darug Djangadi Djiringanj Eora Gamilaraay Gandangara Geawegal Gidhabal/Githabul Gringai/Guringay Gumbaynggirr Gweagal Himberrong Jeithi Jitajita Jukambal Galibal Karenggapa Kawambarai/Gawambaraay Kula/Kurnu Kuringgai Kureinji Kwiambal Malyangapa Maraura Milpulo Muruwari Muthi Muthi Nhaawuparlku Nari-Nari Ngaku Ngambaa Ngarbal Ngarigo Ngiyampaa Ngunnawal Paakantyi Paaruntyi Barindji Tharawal Thaua Yuwaalaraay Walbunja Walgalu (Ngambri) Wandandian Wangaaypuwan Wanjiwalku Weilwan Wemba-Wemba Wirraayaraay Wiyabal Wilyakali Wiradjuri Wodiwodi Wonnarua Worimi Yaygirr Yugambeh Clans: Wanggeriburra, Kombumerri, Mununjali, Tulgigin Yuin
Aboriginal clans	Cammeraygal Gadigal Gorualgal Jerrinja Ngambri Wallumettagal Wangal
Aboriginal languages	Awabakal Bandjalang (or Bundjalung) Darkinjung Dharug (or Eora) Dyirringany Gamilaraay (or Yuwaaliyaay) Madhi Madhi Nganywyana Ngiyambaa Ngunnawal–Gundungurra Tharawal (or Dharawal) Wemba Wemba Wiradjuri Worimi Yugambeh
See also List of Australian Aboriginal group names
By state or territory New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia