Long ago, before the world was shaped the way we see it today, the land and waters were formed by the Wagyl (also spelled Waugal or Woggal), the great rainbow serpent. As the Wagyl moved across the land, it created rivers, lakes, waterways,sources of freshwater that are essential for life.
The saltwater belonged to the sea spirits, often seen as powerful and sometimes dangerous forces. These waters held ancient wisdom, food sources, and deep spiritual significance. The sea was connected to the ancestors who traveled long distances and brought law and story.
At certain places, such as where rivers meet the ocean the estuaries, freshwater and saltwater meet. These places were not just ecological mixing zones, but deeply sacred meeting places for Aboriginal people. They represented connection, exchange, and sometimes even conflict like a meeting of different skin groups, languages, or laws.
In Noongar Boodjar, places like the mouth of the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan) or King George Sound (Mammang Koort) are where saltwater and freshwater mix. These are ceremonial places, as well as practical spots for fishing, gathering, and storytelling.
The mixing waters also reflect the joining of families and tribal groups. Merningar, Minang, and other Noongar clans used these places as neutral meeting grounds.
A well known belief is that spirits travel along the water, and where the waters meet, messages from the ancestors can be heard in the wind and the tides. These stories are sometimes passed on through songlines, dances, and artworks.