Wangal

Wangal is an Aboriginal Australian people and the name of their traditional language. They are the traditional custodians of the land that comprises the southern shore of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) in New South Wales, Australia, generally encompassing the area from around present-day Darling Harbour westwards to approximately Parramatta.

The Wangal people are part of the broader Darug (or Dharug) language group, and their language, Wangal, is considered a dialect of Darug. Records of the Wangal language are scarce, existing primarily in the form of wordlists and place names collected by early European settlers.

Due to the impact of colonization, including disease, displacement, and assimilation policies, the Wangal people and their language suffered significant disruption. Today, while the distinct Wangal language may no longer be spoken fluently, efforts are being made to revive and revitalize Darug languages, including acknowledging and researching the specific vocabulary and cultural practices associated with the Wangal.

The legacy of the Wangal people persists through their descendants, who continue to maintain a connection to their ancestral lands and culture. Place names such as "Wangal Park" in the Concord area serve as reminders of the Wangal's historical presence and continuing significance in the region. Understanding and acknowledging the Wangal people is crucial to recognizing the deep history and ongoing presence of Aboriginal Australians in the Sydney region.