The Origin of Derbal Nara - George Fletcher Moore

A Nyitting story, summarised by George Fletcher Moore, recounts how the islands were cut off from the mainland by the sea at Cockburn Sound.

The natives have a tradition that Rottnest, Carnac, and Garden Island, once formed part of the mainland, and that the intervening ground was thickly covered with trees; which took fire in some unaccountable way, and burned with such intensity that the ground split asunder with a great noise, and the sea rushed in between, cutting off these islands from the mainland.1

The Derbal Nara coastline has undergone many changes in the last 8,000 years. To learn more visit A Changing Coastline.

Nyungar words used on this page

Nyungar English Audio Pronunciation
Derbal Nara Cockburn Sound
Nyitting Cold times, creation time

References

  1. Moore 1884b:8 cited in Hallam, Fire and Hearth, 112.

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Cockburn Nyungar moort Beeliar boodja-k kaadadjiny. Koora, yeyi, benang baalap nidja boodja-k kaaradjiny.
Ngalak kaditj boodjar kep wer kaadidjiny kalyakool yoodaniny, wer koora wer yeyi ngalak Birdiya koota-djinanginy.

The City of Cockburn acknowledges the Nyungar people of Beeliar Boodjar. Long ago, now and in the future they care for Country.
We acknowledge a continuing connection to Land, Waters and Culture and pay our respects to Elders, past and present.