>
A T L A S OF AUSTRALIA—1886.
tboin, but lias, in very many icstances, degraded them socially nnd
mtirnlly. Tlioy apjiear to liave adopted all tlie worst features in tlie
cliaracter of the early settlers. Tlie touiptation to indulge in t.lie use
of tobacco and ardent spirits ovei-powers tliein conipletely. 'l'horo is
no doubt tliat their association with the ci-imina! classes, who wero
numerous iutho fii-st days of colooization, tended strongly to this result.
Tliey have many i^ustoms characteristic of savages iu all lauds, and
not a few that are distinctively Au:
children, infanticide is practised uni
cordance witli nsage, which, with i
us a history, I ll the force of law amoi
doubt that this practice c
difficulty c erienced at certoin scasoi
there is a marked abson
.•egetable world which, i
enables the inhabitants to li
any provision for tlw future,
voives a considerable anioi
lu. Although fmid of their
•rtain conditions, and in acigin
far back iu their early
iltised nations. There is no
race in connection with the
in obtaiuing food. Vast as
of that abundance in the
some more favoured lands,
e without toil,
To procure th
rdship. To a peopl
le uocessity to make
ly food of a tribe ine,
and in some eases, hardship.people so primii
increased the bi
the working members. Is it therefore to bo wondered at, that
nnder the circumstances, placed in a land not profuse in natural gifts,
they sought for a solution of the difficulty by placing cortain restrictions
ou their increase ? The young of the aborigines are remarkable
for their prococity, and make an attempt tu [irovide for themselves at
a very early age. They aro taught to dig for edible roots, and search
for the larvjB of insects, gi'ubs, moths, and certain wild bei'ries. Like
Haffirs, Arabs, and other Nomads, the aborigines depend on nntnral
events to suggestnames for their cliildren. Thus, the appearance of a
Kangaroo, Emn, or Warrigal (Native Dog) at the birth would at once
determine the name of a child. The education of their offs])ring is as
vude as their customs, and cousistR iu teaching them the various
methods of obtaining food, the fci-icks of himting and fishing, the art
of manufacturing and thromng boomai-augs and spears, used in war
and the chase, and the laws which are framed by the Council of old
men for tho regdotion of theii' act
restrictions are imposed on the
)uth
chiefly with the object of assigni
tho young and strong, leaving thi
and iniirm.
organised body. Certain
regard to food. This is
;he harder work in the chase to
iipai-atively easy part to the old
Before a young man is allowed to rraannkk aammoonngg tthhee wwaanm-ors of his
tribe, he is obliged to undergo an ordeal prescribed by usage and custom.
In some parts of tho inteiior, particularly in the neighbourhood
of Cooper's Creek, these ceremonies are said to be of a horrible
character, invohnng the practice of much cruelty, but towards the
sou til, they are genei-ally of a h
siderably ii diifei-ent par
form is univei-sal. Women
occasions, as they could not
It isalleged that even the el
tears. Death has been kn<
the ordeal prescribed in so
haUsm prevailed at one
to which they do not n.
Mutihitiou of the body if
•inent, but tho practice in some
re not allowed to be present on these
ew the proceedings without interfering,
r males are sometimes, in pity, moved to
n to result from tho severe character of
ime tribes. There is no doiibt that oannie
throughout the land; the subject is ono
is found to obtain iu a limited degree. The
) joints of the little finger of the left hand of the women among
some tribes are removed in youth. This ceremony of amputation is
called llalgun. A female child, which it has been decided to keep, is
generally betrothed at birth to some member of the tribe—generally
an old man. Knocking out teeth, boring the septum of the nose,
cutting and scarring the skin, circumcision, and rfepilation, are among
the customs they pmclise in connection with their bodies. Polygamy
is common J women are regarded as articles of pei-sonal property, to bo
bartered or sold at their o^raers' ¡¡leasure. On aiconnt of tho difficulty
often esTperienced in obtaining a wife in their own tribe, youiig wai-rioriresort
to \-iolence, and seize membGre of neighbouring camps; thi?
procednre almost inrariably results iu wiu-Fare; and when this it
happily averted, which is seldom, the intended husband is compelled
Their funeral
barbiu-ous nations
streams, caves, ni
bodies of women
lishn
Tho dead a
It the hands of the girl's rela
repeculiar, and little like those of othe
iiteiTcd in hollows! oo f trees, beds of
on platforms erected in the brandies of tree.«; the
ind children are frequently burnt. When death
appears imjuinent, the sick man is removed from his Mi am, and preparations
are nt once commenced for his Ijurial. They prcaervo a
certain dacorum around the graves of friends, aud fi-equeutly lament
their separation. The corpse is placed in a doubled-up posture, and
in the case of a warrior, his o|)ossiini mg and weapons ure arranged
beside him. They have but one explanation for death; it is iuvarinbly
attributed to witchcraft or sorcery practised hy some foe. Upon his
immediate tho duty, which they regard almost a
e relations devolves the d
,e, of avenging his death.
guide in this, they eagerly
Generally, an unfriendly tribe nearest
their boundaries, in the direction to which some trifling occuj'rence,
such as the flight of a bird or the falling of a leaf, points, is deemed
to be tho one containing the enemy of their dead friend. On such
evidences, hostilities at once commence, with resiilts which depend on
tho strength of the combatants. Tho belief, that the spirit of the dead
hovoi-s around for some time, and then finally departs, either towards
the rising or setting sun, is very prevalent. It is said that the heaven
of tho aborigines of Rivcrina is in the setting sun. In some parts of
Austi-alia, regular burying-grouuds are appointed, and kept for that
puif)0S0 alone, but more frequently the r
3 deposite
neighbourhood in which death takes place,
north, cremation is practised, and the oshci
accompanied «-ith cortain ceremonies, is
s pi-eserved.
known in regai-d to religion among them
ery little is
causes—their general reticence on the subject, and the owing small effect to two
it
exerts on their general mode of life. Their ideas of right and wrong,
judged by the standards of modern civilization, aro rude, and have
nothing fixed iu their character. They believe in certain invisible
beings, whom they view as gods, but the eleujent of worship is absent;
they possess a sort of dim idea that death does uot terminate their
existence, and generally answer, when questioned ou the subject, that
) cai-th I white n
• type t the c
ideas of a future state. Tl
a tentative oue, the creation of iguorance.
The language of the Australian aborigines is
the ear; conversation is invai-iably accomjjanied
lation. A large number of the more euphoui
preserved by the several colonial (rovernments a:
ind localities.
Australian continent becc
of arriving at more certs
people, and the laud froi
fact, that notwithstandin
•aven is merely
.nd pleasing to
much gesticules
of pniishcs,
in use on the
the different dialects
better known, the possibility iucreases
jonclusious regarding the origin of its
hence they sprang. It is a noticeable
le diversity found to exist, there is a
,he general grammatical structure, thus strengthening
the position, that the differences are those of degree and not kind.
There are many who see a strong resemblance between the Australian
dialects aud those of South Africa, from which an attempt has been
made to prove a common origin; others have tried to show a connection
in the remote past with the Aryan tongues. If definite conclusions
are ever attained in regard to the birth-place and descent of the
Australian race, it will, doiibtless, be through the medium of language.
Iu the light of such a discovery, i
present any difficulty. In its mai
features, the language of the
aboi-igines possesses characteristics c
Many of their words are, for esan;
in English, but in -A.usti-alia it i
body of their root-words belongs t
is also prominent, especially in tl
effect of emphasising the mean
Yarra-yarra (Flowing-flowing) mi
This feature is a common one in the language.
to those of other nations,
juomatopoetic. This is the case
•y largely present.
nainos of piai
y conveyed.
It is an opinion, even heard in Austraha, )
body is free from the restraints of law. Sucl
eri-oneons. Theirlawsare no doubt primitive i
iperstition of the lowest type
of not a few have long ¡
ly observed and submi
of the
luphcatio
on of those who have distinguished themselves, are not
In the Councils are decided questions regarding territory,
of the tribes, and matters connected with their intenial
economy. Thus it will be seen, that the Austi-aliau aborigines are not au
aggi'egatiou of independent units, but form organised bodies, with laws
for their mutual protection. IBoundaries of territory are laid down, and
carefully observed by members of the different tribes, in their hunting
expeditions. Permission to enter the territory of a neighbour is
attended wth so7ne ceremony. Thus, the appearance of the white
•Dated confusion among the natives, and was o])posed
cases, b
Council
i though tho rea
• disap])eü red, they ai
ted to. Law! made by a
in some places w
not both occupy the
land, according to ii
which represented
tion when Captain
seldom heard, and
iragc and det
3 dispossessed of it
. on its neighbour's
!S amply v •rified i.
could n
on of tin This
>louies during tho last fifty years. Tribal names
I the aggregate a large body of the native popula-
Cook sailed along the eastern const, are now
ren sound strange and unfamiliar to the white raci
A U S T R A L I A ,
gal, Gwe«-gal, Allo^vrie-gal,
the memories of colonists, i
historian.
nting grounds. Such names as Bodiaind
Kamilaroi, have almost passed from
the chronicles of the
character idered i
tings of tribes for purposes of a general
1 the Councils, and joint action decided
upon accordingly. Whenever an encampment took place, the position
of the >Iiams of each tribe was determined by tho direction from which
of ! strali an
Among tho amusements which are eharacteristii
aboriginals, the Corrobboree stands first. This performance is simply
a rude representation taken from their evory-day experience, aud
though as inferior to the drama of civilized nations, as are the swarthy
actors themselves to the artists of the modem stage, has yet an imposing
assembly. The place chosen i.s generally an open space iu the forest.
In the middle hums a huge fire, and seated in a row near it aro the
musicians—the old women of the tribes. These drone out a kind of
chant, which varies little from a monotone, beating time with short
sticks.
apjiearance distinctively its own, when engaged iu by a largo
aloft at thi
the fire 0
opposite side of the fire appear the performers—the
•e pamted tor the occasion with devices, which give
appearance, aud suggest the idea of demons fi'Om
The movements are made as they dance to the music;
Q time are brandished spears, boomerangs, aud other
capons. Tery often the representation is one illustrating a battle,
which they themselves are invariably victorious. In the final act
tense, the women becoming fi'antic with delight, as
: the eyes of the yonng wan'iors. The scene is one,
the most weird in character that can be conceived, aud us tho dark
shadows of the forest close around the lighted space, alive ^vnth black
figures, and the freuzied tones of the women fall with regular beatc
the ear, the obsei-ver can almost fancy that
earth. To the European it is unique, and £
gotten.
The following description of a Corrobboree
•t of the
>r to be forin
which Eaglehawk, or
I Queensland, directed
Old Billy, a native of the Maranoa district i
the proceedings, is by Mr. Cr. S. Lang. It took place at Surat:—
" There were over 500 natives in the assemblage. The stage con-
" sisted of an open glade surronnded by a belt of rather thick timber,
" abcnit 200 yards in length and breadth, narrowing towards the south
" end, across which sat the orchestra, consisting of nearly
" women, led by Eaglehawk himself. Tho leader chanted
" tion of scenes as they passed, accompanied by the wo
" voices continuously re))eating what seemed to be the si
"while tbey beat time by striking with a stick a quantity
" tightly rolled up in a piece of cloth or opossum rug. Tho i
"bi-ightly, hghting up the stage and the tops of tho trees, I
" a deep shadow below. This shadow, however, was agaii
" several lai-ge fire.s on each side of the stage, leaving a clear view
" Eaglehawk and the orchestra, behind whom stood the spectatoi
" the whites being in the centre. The first act of the corrobboree w
"the ropresentation of a herd of cattle, feeding out of the forest at
camping on the plain, the black performers being painted accordingl
" The imitation was most skilful, the acti
a hundred
a descripmen,
their
' of earth,
noon shone
but casting
" individual memberof the
"lay down aud chewed the cud,
%vith their hind feet or horns,
"several continued rubbing the
"having lasted for some time." party of blacks
herd being ludicrously exact. Some
others stood scratching themsel'
r their calve
ig their heads against each other. This
time,
scene the second commenced. A
creeping towards the cattlo, taking all the
" usual in-ecautious, such as keeping to windward, in order to prevent
" the herd from being alarmed. They got up close to the cattle at
"la.'st nnd speared two head, to the intense delight of tho black
"spectators. Scene tho third commenced with the sound of horses
" galloping thi-ough the timber, foDowsd by the appearance of a party
" of white's on horseback, remarkably well got up. I'he face was
" painted •hitey-brown, with an imitation of the cabbage-tree hatj
the bodies n
"These n red white
" drove the blacks before
" a despemto Sght ensui
" dri%'ing back the whites
" a blackfellow fell, but
" aud at length, after the ground hi
" the wliites were ignominiously
" fraiitic delight of the natives."
The weapons of t
e blue and others red, to represent the
a resemblance of the moleskin trousei-s
it onco wheeled to the right, fired, anc
i; tho latter soon rallied, however, an¿
he blacks extending their flanks anc
Tie native spectators groaned whenevei
red lustily when a white bit the dust,
been fought over and over again
ivon fi'om tho field, amidst ths
>trali
thi-i
u- the
suri'ouu.lingf 'L'ho mt
These are used both ii
rude aud
chase. In'throwinf
Tho boomerang is
lative, describes a
f the thrower. Ii
they exhibit a conaidei-able amount of skill,
curved piece of wood which, when thrown
erics of curves, ending its flight near tho
ikilful hands its aim has a deadly accuracy.
?hô weapon used in war is known by the name Wonguin, Their
pears, which are of several kinds, have heads of .ntone. Tho rocks
ised generally are baaalt and fine quartzite. In throwing spears, a
used. This instru.
eapon is the Nulla
tho small end for
Tliey are variously
ons. Among their
short lever, called by some t
ment increases the project
Nulla, wUch is a kind o
digging purposes. Shields
hes a Wooinerah, is
s force. Another '
club, sharpened al
re used in defence,
ubs and other wea
r (Rad-jo of the v
implements are the stone axe (Rad-jo of the western coast), nnd the
ohiael (Dhabba), made from the same material. Drinking-vessel s
are fashioned out of the knots of gum-trees, anil are also made out of
bark, and tho ski
sewing p.
used to send news to friendi
The natives of Australii
Rude representations of men and anin
frequented by them. Their ideas are c
such attempts sei-ve to show that their n
and contains the germs of a higher •
Captain) Gi'ey discovered paintings by
coast, iu the sandstone caves near the C
Similar representations have been
eastern and southern coasts. Picture-^
intelligent tribes, has been developed al
stralia t
characte
passes 1
Bone and wooden awLi serve for
with picture-writing on them, aro
distance.
not without taste in matters of Art,
.d animals have been found in caves
IS of the crudest description, but
nature is capable of cultivation,
isistenco. Sir George (thon
the natives of the north-west
lenolg River, in the year 1838.
found in many parts of the
friting, in several of the more
veloped almost into a system. In certain
ure credited with tastes of a scientific
Some of their legends and myths give evidence of
observation and a lively imagination. Tho heavens, under
canopy of which they spend the greater part of their
closely watched, and as each succeeding day wanes and
0 night, thoy sit round their camp-fires, and wait for the
appeai-anco of the various star-olustera, carefully noting their forms
aud positions. They have names for all tho moro prominent gronp.s,
such as tho Pleiades, the Southern Cross», and othei-s. The following
characteristic passage from a paper on the Astronomy of the Australian
aboiigines read before the Eoyal Society of New South
Wales on the 6th -luly, 1881, by the Rev. P. McPherson, S£.A.,
shows how their myths and names have become connected with the
constellations of the southern hemisphere:—
" As to the south polar region, we might almost expect that
" such a conspicuous group as the Southern Cross would figure in
" ahoriginiil legends. In their oral literature, the Cross is a tree
" which affords safety to Biinya (the Opos-sum) that was pursued
" by Tchingal (the Eum). Tho story goes, that he, in fear, left his
" weapons nt the foot of the tree, and was changed into an Opossum
" for his cowardice. Tchingal appears to be the impersonation of
" evil, and is identified with the Coal-sack. The figure of this dark
" space somewhat resembles the rongh outline of the body of an
" Emu, and hence it would seem that the dusky figure of tho Bmu
the impersonation of evil. The Pointers are two
who spear and kill Tchingal, and their spears stick
the two points represented by tho two nearest stars,
the other in the foot of tho Cross. Aboriginal
specially connected wnth the south polar region
ins, i.^ called
'is accepted £
' great Warrio:
"theology i
" and the Southern Cross. Th© magnificent s
" War, or tho Crow, which occupies a most distinguished place in
"aboriginal legends, Canopus is the male, and the small red star,
" No. 966 in King Charles' Oak, the female Crow. Strangely enough
" tho Crow represents the benefactoi' of the aboriginal race. He ia
" the Prometheus, the fire-bringer, whose good deeds are celebrated
" iu fire-legends over the greatest part of Australia,"
Tho history of civilization in tho past, pomts as certainly to the
decay of tho aboriginal race, as do the facts connected with them,
since the appearance of the white man in their land. It seems inevitable
that the lower and weaker race cniraot, in the iiature of things,
1, but must give way to
rith the stronger and
Wlier ¡tlement has taken place, there tho dusk^
ave begun to disappeat
st powerful in the land,
e wilds of the back coni
xre dispersed, to givo pia
last rerauonts of the racf
ing cSeets c
3 the
, that they w
tribes, that '
ire almost without re|)reaentatry
become occupied, and the
e to flocks of sheep and herds
will fade from off the face of
vast interior, where they are
ivilization which, powerless to
,y for their
and against
V couditions, prepai-es the v
make