The Wangan were estimated by
Norman Tindale to have had roughly 3,000 square miles (7,800 km2) of territory around
Capella. These extended northwards to the vicinity of
Blair Athol, and eastwards as far as
the Peak Ranges. Their westward extension went as far as
Drummond Range. They were also present at
Peak Downs.[1]
Social divisions
One name at least survives for a clan of the Wangan, the Babbinburra, a
horde that inhabited the area between
Mistake Creek and
Clermont.[1] The element -burra was a suffix, meaning 'tribe, according to James Muirhead, who stated that the Babbinburra/Wangan were one of several tribes speaking the same language.[a]
History of contact
In very recent developments the descendants of the Wangan together with those of the Jagalingou have been engaged in a legal battle with the Queensland and Federal governments over the approval of the development of the
Carmichael coal mine, a project run by the
Adani Group.[3][4]
Muirhead, James (1887).
"Belyando"(PDF). In
Curr, Edward Micklethwaite (ed.). The Australian race: its origin, languages, customs, place of landing in Australia and the routes by which it spread itself over the continent. Vol. 3. Melbourne: J. Ferres. pp. 26–33.