The Waargle of the Noongar People

John Sara

The Wargal is the great mythical snake worshiped by the Noongar people. Noongars are Aboriginal people from Western Australia, their area is south and west of a boundary line that runs south of Geraldton to Merredin and almost to Esperance.

Noongar folklore held many myths and legends of the Wargal, its powers and functions. Each and every one showing it’s pre-eminence.

The Wargal controlled earth, fire and water. The Wargal was the great arbiter of life and death, of sickness and health, of food or famine. It made the most important food and totem laws and was punisher-in-chief for any breach of these laws.

Within the area of every group of Noongars there was a local Wargal shrine sacred to the serpent, these areas were never trodden by women. These shrines might be a water hole, hill, rock, tree, cave or perhaps a relic of the volcanic or glacial age (some great white stone or deep fissure or plain or range). Certain propitiatory ceremonies had to be performed by Noongar families when journeying past these shrines.