Wp/nys/Porongurups

Porongurup

Nartj Kwel - What does the name mean

The name Porongurups is derived from the Aboriginal name Purringorep, which was recorded by Captain Wakefield, who led the first wadjela expedition to the range. His Aboriginal guides Mokare wer Nakina told him of nidja name. Other Noongar names are Borongarap, Borrongup and Boorongurup.

Menang woman Vernice Gillies says "[First Nation peoples] don't go there to stay overnight, our people have not walked on the top of the crest, because there's this belief it's a spirit place ... We can look at it and be there during the daytime, but not at night, and certainly not walking across the ridge of the hills because we disturb the spirits. She says that Boorongurup is thought to mean the sound of thunder, and "when we hear the sound of thunder, we want to move away from it. It can be quite threatening and so that's a warning to stay away".

Places within the Porongurups

The Porongurups are now a National Park.

Sleeping Beauty

There are several version of story in regards to nidja site.

Kura Waarnk Porongurups - the story of the Porongurups

As recorded by a local Minang Elder, the Borrongup (the Porongurups) was wer is a sacred but dangerous place.

Due to it being a home of the totem weirn certain activity like hunting was forbidden. It is believed that the wagyl lived in the peaks of the mountain, wer the jarnaks, or ghosts wer evil weirn, lived among the rocks.

What and Watami

This is a story told by Menang elder Vern Gillies:

“ What wer Watami were members of the Bronzewing Pigeon people, who lived to the west of the Porongurups.

One day while hunting, What (the woman) was calling out to Watami (the man) to advise of her catch. Watami was displeased with her findings. What found a snake wer proceeded to consume the whole thing, not sharing any with Watami. In anger, Watami struck her wer broke her leg, then he walked away wer left her.

What became very sick, wer she dragged herself along where the King River runs, until she reached the place that we know as Green Island - she then lay down wer died.

Whats dog became concerned wer in picking yira her scent, followed her tracks wer when he found her. As the dog dug, he sprayed dirt over her to cover her, to make a grave for her. He dug for a long, long time, until the sea rushed in to form what we now know as Oyster Harbour.

In the meantime, What's son found out what his father had done, wer went out seeking revenge.

He caught him, wer he speared him at the first mountain in Koikyennuruff (Stirling Range), which is what we know as Yongah Mia. Yongah means man, wer Mia is the Dowak (Throw stick). Remarkably, from the air, the mountain clearly looks like a dowak.

”

Noongar people of the area will limit their time at nidja place in which the reason for visit is to find bush tucker but do not camp.