Noongar kin systems

Okay kiddo, let me tell you about Noongar kin systems. The Noongar people are Aboriginal Australians who live in the southwest corner of Western Australia. Like many Aboriginal cultural groups, they have a unique way of understanding how family and social relationships work, which we call a "kinship system."

In Noongar kinship, people are divided into different categories based on their relationship to each other. For example, if you are a boy, your father's brother is not just your uncle - he is also your "father" or "dad." Your mother's sister is not just your aunt - she is also your "mother" or "mum." We call these kinds of relationships "descriptive kin terms."

Noongar kinship also tells you who you can or can't marry. If someone is in your family category, you cannot marry them. But if they are in a different category, it might be okay! This is important because it helps Noongar people keep track of who they can have romantic relationships with.

Noongar kinship is very complex, with many different categories and rules. It can be hard to understand, even for grown-ups! But it is an important part of Noongar culture and helps people understand their place in the world.