The Wagyl (also written Waugal, Waagal, and variants) is the

Noongar The Noongar (, also spelt Noongah, Nyungar , Nyoongar, Nyoongah, Nyungah, Nyugah, and Yunga ) are Aboriginal Australian people who live in the South West, Western Australia, south-west corner of Western Australia, from Geraldton, Western Aus ...

manifestation of the

Rainbow Serpent The Rainbow Serpent or Rainbow Snake is a common deity often seen as the Creator deity, creator God, known by numerous names in different Australian Aboriginal languages by the many List of Australian Aboriginal group names, different Aborigina ...

Australian Aboriginal religion and mythology Australian Aboriginal religion and mythology is the sacred spirituality represented in the stories performed by Aboriginal Australians within each of the language groups across Australia in their ceremonies. Aboriginal spirituality includes ...

, from the culture based around the south-west of

Western Australia Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east. Western Aust ...

. The Noongar describe the Wagyl as a snakelike Dreaming creature responsible for the creation of the

Swan Swans are birds of the genus ''Cygnus'' within the family Anatidae. The swans' closest relatives include the goose, geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form the tribe (biology) ...

and

Canning Canning is a method of food preservation in which food is processed and sealed in an airtight container (jars like Mason jars, and steel and tin cans). Canning provides a shelf life that typically ranges from one to five years, although under ...

rivers and other waterways and landforms around present day

Perth Perth () is the list of Australian capital cities, capital city of Western Australia. It is the list of cities in Australia by population, fourth-most-populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth . The ...

and the south-west of Western Australia. The Wagyl stories may represent the survival in

oral tradition Oral tradition, or oral lore, is a form of human communication in which knowledge, art, ideas and culture are received, preserved, and transmitted orally from one generation to another.Jan Vansina, Vansina, Jan: ''Oral Tradition as History'' (19 ...

of extinct

Australian megafauna The term Australian megafauna refers to the megafauna in Australia (continent), Australia during the Pleistocene, Pleistocene Epoch. Most of these species became extinct during the latter half of the Pleistocene, as part of the broader global L ...

, as there was a

python Python may refer to: Snakes * Pythonidae, a family of nonvenomous snakes found in Africa, Asia, and Australia ** ''Python'' (genus), a genus of Pythonidae found in Africa and Asia * Python (mythology), a mythical serpent Computing * Python (prog ...

-like snake, '' Wonambi naracoortensis'', with a length of .

Name

Due to the

Noongar language Noongar (), also Nyungar (), is an Australian Aboriginal languages, Australian Aboriginal language or dialect continuum, spoken by some members of the Noongar community and others. It is taught actively in Australia, including at schools, uni ...

having several dialects, the Wagyl is referred to by different groups by different names. Varieties include , , , , , , , , and . In the Wiilman Noongar dialect, the Wagyl is called the (meaning 'hairy-faced snake'). Wagyl

Mythology

In Noongar mythology, stories about the Wagyl vary among the 14 different Noongar groups. Some groups state that the Wagyl is the ruler of the

Earth Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to Planetary habitability, harbor life. This is enabled by Earth being an ocean world, the only one in the Solar System sustaining liquid surface water. Almost all ...

and

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, and that it inhabits water sources. In contrast, others say it is simply the creator and maintainer of fresh water sources. However, in all Noongar groups it is a central figure and responsible for giving life or sustenance for life to the people who are the custodians of its land. The Wagyl is responsible for shaping and creating the Swan River, creating the sharp bends at Belmont and Maylands, as well as the

Canning River The Canning River ( or ) is a major tributary of the Swan River in the South West Land Division of Western Australia. It is home to much wildlife including dolphins, pelicans, swans and many other bird species. Source and route With headwate ...

. When it reached the area around

Fremantle Fremantle () () is a port city in Western Australia located at the mouth of the Swan River (Western Australia), Swan River in the metropolitan area of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth. The Western Australi ...

, it fought with a crocodile and used its tail to separate the salt and fresh water of the ocean and river from each other. The Wagyl is also said to have rested at the base of Mount Eliza in Perth, which is seen as a sacred site. The Wagyl also has significant connection to the Busselton wetlands. The Wagyl created many local landscape features between the Porongarups and off the coast of

. Indeed, Porongarup means 'spirit gathering place', from the

, and . The Wagyl was delegated to protect the rivers, lakes, springs and the wildlife, and Wagyl

sacred site A sacred space, sacred ground, sacred place, sacred temple, holy ground, holy place or holy site is a location which is regarded to be sacred or hallowed. The sacredness of a natural feature may accrue through tradition or be granted through ...

s tend to be natural sun-traps, located beside bodies of water. The Noongar people were appointed by the Wagyl as the guardians of the land, and the Wagyl was seen by certain tribal elders who spoke to the dreamtime being. The Darling Scarp is said to represent the body of the Wagyl, which meandered over the land creating the curves and contours of the hills and gullies. The being is strongly associated with rivers, lakes like Galup, and is supposed still to reside deep beneath springs. As the Wagyl slithered over the land, his track shaped the sand dunes, his body scoured out the course of the rivers; where he occasionally stopped for a rest, he created bays and lakes. Piles of rocks are said to be his droppings, and such sites are considered sacred. As he moved, his scales scraped off and became the forests and woodlands of the region. During a serious drought, Noongar elders ventured to the coast of the

Indian Ocean The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering or approximately 20% of the water area of Earth#Surface, Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia (continent), ...

to pray to the Wagyl to end the drought. The Wagyl then came out of the ocean and created the Peel inlet where she gave birth to her young. After they matured, they went east from the inlet and formed the Serpentine, Murray and Harvey rivers. However the Wagyl went out to look for her young and created Lake Clifton and Lake Preston. Thinking they went south, it ventured south and created the flat land around the Leschenault Estuary at

Australind Australind is a town in Western Australia, located 12 km north-east of Bunbury, Western Australia, Bunbury's central business district. Its Local government areas of Western Australia, local government area is the Shire of Harvey. At the 20 ...

. Meanwhile, the young eventually starved and eventually dissolved into water and resupplied underground water reservoirs. This then ended the drought. Due to its deep association with the water, it is said that when the water is murky and dark the Wagyl was swimming and that one shouldn't swim in that water.

Specific variations

Ballardong people

The Ballardong people also believes the Wagyl as the creator of the rivers, lakes and swamps around

York York is a cathedral city in North Yorkshire, England, with Roman Britain, Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers River Ouse, Yorkshire, Ouse and River Foss, Foss. It has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a Yor ...

, where it travelled along the Avon River to

Guildford Guildford () is a town in west Surrey, England, around south-west of central London. As of the 2011 census, the town has a population of about 77,000 and is the seat of the wider Borough of Guildford, which had around inhabitants in . The nam ...

, going also through Tooday valley. In the Dreamtime story of Wave Rock, the Ballardong people believe that the Wagyl shaped the rock's formation. Another rock believed by the Ballardong to have been shaped by the Wagyl is Boyagin Rock, where it is seen as the winter home or the last resting place of the Wagyl.

Mooro people

In the Mooro clan's Karda myth, the Wagyl prevents Crocodile from entering the Swan River after his tail was torn off by Shark, which eventually formed Rottnest and Garden Island. Following this, Crocodile was told by the Wagyl to go back to

Two Rocks Two Rocks is a town in Western Australia, located northwest of the Perth central business district. It is part of the City of Wanneroo local authority and represents the furthest northern extent of the Perth metropolitan region. While the s ...

and talk with (kangeroo) and (scrub turkey). In the Charnok Woman myth, the Charnok Woman collects spirit children following the path created by the Wagyl across a valley created by the Wagyl and is known as the Swan River. The path led her north to where the Wagyl was creating lakes. In the Mooro myth of two lost boys, two boys were brought to Mindarrie by two tribal elders to learn the law. After the elders went out to hunt, the boys ventured off to discover what had caused a loud noise, only to find the Indian Ocean. Thirsty, they drank from the water to find it was salty. Figuring the water further out was sweeter, they ventured out into the water to only be swallowed up by the Wagyl. The Wagyl then ventured back to the coast where it spat the boys out as two tuart trees.

Wiilman people

For the Wiilman people, the Wagyl travelled from the north to

Collie Collies form a distinctive type of herding dogs, including many related landraces and standardized breeds. The type originated in Scotland and Northern England. Collies are medium-sized, fairly lightly-built dogs, with pointed snouts. Many type ...

, where it created hills and rivers along the way. It then went to Bunbury and Australind where it formed the Leschenault Estuary. It then came back to Collie via the Collie river to Minninup pool. He then gave to the Wiilman people law and language before the Wiilmans danced and sang for the Wagyl as a farewell. The Wagyl then went back to Minninup pool which is its resting place to the Wiilman people. They also believe that if its resting place is harmed, all the water in the world would dry up.

Post-European settlement

One of the earliest description of the Wagyl by European settlers was by Francis Armstrong of the

Perth Gazette ''The West Australian'' is the only locally edited daily newspaper published in Perth, Western Australia. It is owned by Seven West Media (SWM), as is the state's other major newspaper, ''The Sunday Times (Western Australia), The Sunday Times'' ...

in 1836, where he described stones believed by the Noongars to be eggs of the Wagyl. When the Government of Western Australia wanted to redevelop land around the Old Swan Brewery in the 1980s, conflicting attitudes around the Wagyl arose. The area is known as in Noongar, and is seen in some stories as a resting point of the Wagyl.

Characteristics

The Wagyl is often characterised as being green and smokish grey in colour, while also blending into the ocean. It is also characterised as being either female or male. Like the Rainbow serpent, it is depicted as a snake or serpent.

Influence on modern culture

The Wagyl is depicted in the 1982 play ''Kullark'' by Jack Davis. The design of Matagarup Bridge in Perth over the Swan river is sometimes interpreted as representing the Wagyl. The French

one-man band A one-man band is a musician who plays a number of instruments simultaneously using their hands, feet, limbs, and various mechanical or electronic contraptions. One-man bands also often sing while they perform. The simplest type of "one-man ban ...

Waagal takes its name from the serpent. Erwann Texier-Harth, the individual behind Waagal, incorporates the Aboriginal

didgeridoo The didgeridoo (;()), also spelt didjeridu, among other variants, is a wind instrument, played with vibrating lips to produce a continuous Drone (music), drone while using a special breathing technique called circular breathing. The didgerido ...

into many of his pieces.

In art

The Waugal Aboriginal Corporation is an Aboriginal art organisation based in Pinjarra. It received $6,400 of funding to hold an exhibition at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre as part of

NAIDOC Week NAIDOC Week ( ) is an Australian observance lasting from the first Sunday in July until the following Sunday. The acronym NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee. NAIDOC Week has its roots in the 1938 Day o ...

in 2006. On 13 November 2020, a mural in Guildford depicting the Wagyl was unveiled by WA Minister for Water Dave Kelly as part of the Splash of Colour program launched in 2017. On 20 July 2023, a mural depicting the Wagyl was unveiled at a water pump station in Gosnells by the Minister for Water

Simone McGurk Simone Frances McGurk (born 5 December 1963) is an Australian politician. She is the member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for the seat of Fremantle, and Minister for Creative Industries, Heritage, Industrial Relations, Aged Car ...

. The project was led by Nerolie Bynder in partnership with the Water Corporation, and local schools and artists. The mural is also part of the Splash of Colour program launched in 2017. The murals were praised by Chris Tallentire.

General references

* *Flannery, Tim (2002) ''The Future Eaters: an Ecological History of the Australian Lands and People''

References

{{reflist Noongar culture Australian Aboriginal deities Australian Aboriginal legendary creatures Creator deities Rainbow serpent deities Swan River (Western Australia)