Warrwa


The Warrwa, also spelt Warwa, are an indigenous Australian people of Western Australia.

Language

is an eastern Nyulnyulan language, sufficiently closely related to Nyigina to be classified as a dialect of the latter.

Country

According to Norman Tindale's estimate, the Warrwa's domains encompassed approximately, extending along the eastern shores of King Sound from Fraser River to Round Hill on Stokes Bay. Their inland extension reached as far as the upper Logue River. Their presence on the Fitzroy River was thought to run only as far as Yeeda. They were also present in the area of Derby, and north of Meda, inland to roughly. To their north lay the Umiida, on their eastern flank were the Unggumi, while the Nyigina were on their southern frontier.

Pre-contact times

According to Tindale, in pre-contact times, the Warrwa were affected by the movement of the Nyigina down the Fitzroy river, which effectively drove a wedge between Warrwa clans, that were subsequently cut off from each other. The incoming Nyigina distinguished thereafter the western Warwa from the eastern Warrwa around Derby and Meda.

Alternative names