December 28th, 2009 - Learning The Culture and Values OF The Sunshine Coast
The Glass House Mountains are a curious group of volcanic crags rising up from the coastal plain about 20km north of Caboolture. Aboriginal legend talks of these rocky peaks as belonging to a family of Mountain Spirits. The Story is called The Weeping Mountain and his Wayward Son.
It is said that the Mountain Spirits were reigned over by Tibrogargan, who is said to be the father of all tribes. His wife, Beerwah and he had children, of which Coonowrin was the oldest. He also had twin sibling, Tunbubudla and Coochin, as well as Ngngun, Tibberoowuccum, Miketeebumulgrai and Elimbah.
Tibrogargan was looking at the coast and saw the sea level was rising. He thought there would be a flood and worried for his wife, who was by the water. He was equally concerned for his children, but couldn’t save them all. So, he asked his eldest son to go help his mother. As Tibrogargan gathered the rest of the children, he looked back to ensure his oldest and wife were safe. But, he found Coonowrin running away and leaving his mother. He became to angered that he struck his son with a club, dislocating his neck.
When the flood went down, the family could go back home. When his siblings saw his crooked neck, Coonowrins felt ashamed from their teasing. He went to his father to ask for his forgiveness. His father wept large tears of despair, asking why he didn’t help his own mother. The son responded that she was bigger than them all and should have been able to take care of herself. What he did not know what that she was very pregnant. The siblings all began to weep, forming many streams reaching to the sea.
Because the law of the tribe said that he could not forgive his son, Tibrogargan had to turn his back forever on his eldest. Now, Coonowring hangs his crooked neck and cries while Tibrogargan faces away towards the water. Beerwah is still pregnant.
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