Koamu
The Koamu (Guwamu) were an
Language
The
Country
The Koamu are estimated to have ranged over 6,000 square miles (16,000 km2) of tribal territory. They were on the
Mythology
On dying, a Koamu is met on passing into the spirit world by his yuri or totem, who then reintroduces him to all of his relations, the natural species belonging to his moiety.[3]
The first bee was fashioned by a bat, which gummed on some cockatoo feathers to a sticky milky weed, which immediately took wing, and flew right down to Koamu territory, with the bat in hot pursuit, until it won sanctuary in a cave called Ungwari. The Koamu undertook rituals in this cavern to secure the increase of bees in their area.[4]
Native title
The descendants of the Koamu, under the name the Kooma people, had their native title rights recognized by the state of Queensland in 2014.[5]
Alternative names
- Guamu, Guwamu, Oamu
- Kuam
- Kuamu
Source: Tindale 1974, p. 175
Notes
Citations
- ^ a b Tindale 1974, p. 175.
- ^ Honery 1878, p. 245.
- ^ Kelly 1935, p. 465.
- ^ Kelly 1935, pp. 467–468.
- ^ QSNTS 2014.
Sources
- Honery, Thomas (1878). "Wailwun Language and Traditions". JSTOR 2841001.
- Kelly, C. Tennant (1935). "Tribes on Cherbourg Settlement, Queensland". JSTOR 40327813.
- "Kooma People's Native Title Consent Determination" (PDF). 2014.
- S2CID 259672570.
- ISBN 978-0-708-10741-6.