The Gulidjan are the people of the grasslands, woodlands, volcanic plains and lakes region east of Lake Corangamite, west of the Barwon River and north of the Otway Ranges.
The numbers on this map indicate the approximate locations of clan estates. The entire landscape was a mosaic of such estates. Through intermarriage and other alliances people were able to access land and resources far beyond their own estates. Access to land and resources was negotiated through discussion, marriage, ceremony and adherence to law.
It is possible that there were more clans than listed here.
This map is derived from Clark (1990)
|
No. |
Clan name |
Approximate location |
Colijan, Kolac Gnat (meaning belonging to sand), Colagdians
About a hundred words of the Gulidjan language are known from five sources written during the time of settlement. The Gulidjan and the Wada Wurrung were able to understand each other to a degree but their languages were substantially different. It has been suggested that the language was a mixture of surrounding languages but was none-the-less quite distinct.
The Gulidjan intermarried with both the Djargurd Wurrung and Wada Wurrung.
The Gulidjan clans each belonged to one of the moieties Gabadj (Black Cockatoo) or Guragidj (White Cockatoo). These were inherited matrilineally (a persons moiety was inherited from their mother). Marriage partners by law had to be of different moieties.
Although having a different moiety system, the Gulidjan intermarried with the patrilineal clans of the Wada Wurrung.
It was reported that families of the Gulidjan (or at least those of the Gulidjan Balug clan) each had their own portion of Lake Colac frontage. Large areas of the plains were ephemeral wetlands interspersed with lakes which would have supplied plentiful game, fish and edible aquatic plants. Much of the Gulidjan lands were native grasslands with a diverse wildflowers flora. These were rich with Murnong and other herbs with edible tuberous roots. To the south and east the Barwon River and Gellibrand River, flowing from the Otways, supplied fish and fresh water clams. Open woodlands o the Otway Plains to the south would have supplied game such as wallaby and possum.
The park at the centre of the present day township of Colac was a wetland that was is known to have been a much used camping area.
Aboriginal Languages and Clans: An historical atlas of western and central Victoria