Mulka was the illegitimate son of a woman who fell in love with a man with whom marriage was forbidden, according to tribal law. Mulka was born with crossed eyes. Even though he grew up to be an outstandingly strong man of colossal height, his crossed eyes prevented him from aiming a spear accurately and becoming a successful hunter. Out of frustration, Mulka turned to catching and eating children and became the terror of the district.
He lived in a cave, now known as Mulka’s Cave where the impressions of his hands can still be seen much higher than those of an ordinary man.
This is just one of many stories the Ballardong Noongar people of the Wheatbelt have shared with us.
You can find many more stories on our Knowledge Hub or in the story books linked below.
https://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/knowledge/twines-storybook
https://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/knowledge/koompkinning-pumphreys-bridge-storybook
https://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/knowledge/derdibin-gnamma-storybook
https://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/knowledge/badjaling-story-book
https://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/knowledge/burlong-pool-interpretive-signs
https://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/boyagin