Yued – Traditional Custodians of the Land
The Shire of Moora lies on the traditional lands of the Yued (or Yuat) people, one of the fourteen Nyoongar language groups of the south-west of Western Australia. The word Nyoongar means “a person of the south-west.”
The Yued region extends across approximately 29,253 square kilometres, encompassing the towns of Moora, Leeman, Jurien Bay, Cervantes, Two Rocks, Gingin, Calingiri, and Coorow. As the Nyoongar language was traditionally oral, spellings of words may vary in written form. A valuable reference is the Nyoongar Dictionary by Bernard Rooney.
This land holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, with many important sites including caves, ceremonial grounds, rock art, and artefacts. These places remain vital to the continuing cultural identity of Yued people today.
Connection to Country (Boodja)
For thousands of years, Nyoongar people have lived on, cared for, and been spiritually connected to their boodja — their land. Everything in the landscape has meaning and purpose. Nyoongar kaartidjin (knowledge) is expressed through stories, art, song, and dance, maintaining a strong connection between people, country, and the spiritual world.
Nyoongar lore governs relationships with the environment and with one another. It includes ceremonies, seasonal rituals, and respect for all living things. Caring for boodja continues to be central to Nyoongar culture and identity.
The Nyitting – The Dreaming
The Nyitting (or Dreaming) means “cold time” or “the time before time.” It is the Creation period when ancestral spirits shaped the land and established the lore, social order, and customs of the Nyoongar people.
One central creation story tells of the Waugal, the great rainbow serpent who travelled from the north through Watheroo and Moora, carving out the riverbeds and waterways. Carrying fish, turtles, and other creatures on his back, he shaped the land as he moved. At Warraminga (Mogumber), he turned sharply west, forming the deep river pools known as Mur. These stories connect all living things and are passed down through generations of Elders.
Six Nyoongar Seasons
The Nyoongar people recognise six seasons, each marked by natural changes in weather, plants, and animals.
- Birak (Dec–Jan): Hot and dry; the Moodjar (Christmas tree) blooms.
- Bunuru (Feb–Mar): Hottest part of the year; a time for fishing and gathering goanna eggs.
- Djeran (Apr–May): Cooling period; emu, fish, and turtles are abundant.
- Makuru (Jun–Jul): Cold and wet; kangaroo and possum are hunted.
- Djilba (Aug–Sep): Cold with light rains; roots and eggs are plentiful.
- Kambarang (Oct–Nov): Warming weather; wildflowers bloom in abundance.
The seasons guide sustainable harvesting practices and reflect the Nyoongar philosophy of living in harmony with nature.
Aboriginal Astronomy
For countless generations, Nyoongar people have looked to the night sky as a source of knowledge and guidance. The stars mark the changing seasons, help with navigation, and hold stories connecting the earth to the cosmos. Aboriginal astronomy is not just about celestial objects—it represents an understanding of life, country, and continuity.
Bush Tucker and Medicines
Nyoongar people have long relied on native plants and animals for food and medicine. Common foods include yams, berries, seeds, emu eggs, echidna, kangaroo, and goanna, as well as freshwater species like fish and turtles. Medicinal plants such as eucalyptus leaves are used for coughs and colds, while animal fats are combined with plants for healing.
This traditional knowledge has been passed down through generations and continues to inform modern bush tucker and medicine practices today.
Animals and Birds
Animals and birds hold great cultural and spiritual importance in Nyoongar culture, representing totems, kinship ties, and seasonal signs.
Animals include: Dugite (Doogatj), Echidna (Nyingarn), Kangaroo (Yonga), and Bobtail (Yorna).
Birds include: Magpie (Koolbardie), Wattlebird (Dongkarak), Willy Wagtail (Djidi Djidi), Grey Butcherbird (Worl), and Emu (Wetj).
Each carries stories and meanings connected to the environment and the cycles of life.
The Moore River Native Settlement
In 1918, the Moore River Native Settlement was established at Mogumber, about 50 km south-west of Moora, under the direction of the Chief Protector of Aborigines, A.O. Neville. Originally intended as a self-supporting farming community, it soon became a government settlement where Aboriginal people from across Western Australia were forcibly relocated.
Many children of mixed Aboriginal descent were taken from their families and placed here as part of what is now known as the Stolen Generations. In 1951, control was handed to the Methodist Church, which operated the site as the Mogumber Mission until 1974. The land was later returned to the Aboriginal Lands Trust.
The Old Moora Reserve
The Old Moora Reserve, established in 1953, became home to many Nyoongar families following government policies that forced Aboriginal people off country. The reserve was a thriving community until its closure in 1978.
As recalled by Fred Mogridge (Snr), who grew up there:
“As kids growing up out there, we made our own fun. We swam in the river, made canoes from scraps of tin, and collected wood for the fires that heated our water. We were told many old stories from our Elders about Moora and the surrounding areas. There was a lot of respect for our Old People, which is still told today.”
Continuing Connection
Today, the Yued people continue to maintain their connection to country, keeping alive their stories, language, and cultural traditions. This enduring bond between people and boodja reminds us of the importance of respect, reconciliation, and recognition of the world’s oldest continuing culture.
Acknowledgements
This information has been compiled in collaboration with the Moore Catchment Council, Yued Aboriginal Corporation, and the Cultural Advice Committee, with funding from the State Natural Resource Management Program.
Photography by Rachel Walmsley and Madeline Anderson.
Artwork Yonga Dreaming by Yued artist Madeline Anderson.
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