Warwa (WA)

LocationOn eastern shores of King Sound from Fraser River to Round Hill, n.n. ['Maria] on Stokes Bay; inland to upper Logue River; on Fitzroy River only to Yeeda; at Derby; north of Meda extending inland about 40 miles (65 km.); eastern and western sections of the tribe almost cut off from each other by movement of Njikena down Fitzroy River before European settlement; contact was maintained only along coastal swamps flooded at high tide (tide rises here up to forty feet (17 m.]). Njikena using English call the western Warwa the 'Little Warwa' and those between Purula (Derby) and Meda the 'Big Warwa.' Some men do not roll the r in their tribal name, thus two forms are given above.
Co-ordinates123°40'E x 17°15'S
Area3,800 sq. m. (9,900 sq. km.)
ReferencesBates, 1914; Capell, 1940, 1952, 1955; Tindale, 1940, 1953 MS; Playford, 1960.
Alternative NamesWaruwa (valid alternative when r not rolled), Warwai, Warrwai, Kolaruma ('coast people'; name given by Ongkomi; in some local languages ['kolar] means west).
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