Angoroko, rock art 135 Index Angurugu Mission station, trek to 257–8 Angwurrkburna rock shelter A artefacts and raw material types 147, A Black Civilisation (book) 396 148 Aboriginal art preliminary exploration 142–8 art historians’ interest 44 preliminary explorations 142–8 cultural significance 42 rock art 148–9 international recognition 44 site contents 145–7 official 1945 research proposal 174 usage and chronology 152–3 renaissance of 40 Angwurrkburna rock shelter view 144 Aboriginal artists 44 fragments artefacts and 145, 146 Aboriginal languages radio carbon dates 145 language groups 26, 29, 115, 123, site plan and section drawing 145 360–1 anthropologists no sibilant ‘s’ 419–20 early to mid twentieth century 404 Aboriginals Ordinance (1918) 116–17 anthropology ‘aborigines’ use of term 98 combined with environmental study 14 acquisitions 222–4 anthropomorphs in rock art 148–9, 150, A–D strips 244 151 Adam in Ochre (book) 91, 96, 98, 99–100, anti-communists, middle-of-the-road 358 stance 68–70 bird recording experience 107–9 ANZUS (Australia, New Zealand, United recording buffalo hunt 101–5 States Security) Treaty xii, 57, Adelaide Hills 60–4 plant ecology study 285 ‘Arawaltja’ ceremony 398, 406 adjustment movement 22, 340–1, 350, archaeological research 351, 415 historical perspective 153–5 advertisement for 1945 film and lecture archaeological sites tour of the US 12 low numbers of artefacts 137 Allah, new scheme of adjustment 350 archaeology ALP (Australian Labor Party) 56–7 of art 153 Amagula, Thomas 22, 191, 423, 424, 430 culture-historical framework 137 American Clever Man (Marrkijbu Burdan Groote Eylandt 1948 138–9 Merika) see Johnson, David H. Groote Eylandt 1990s and beyond American Clever Man story 141–53 interpretation 334–6 armbands 225, 225 American–Australian Scientific Arnhem Land Expedition (1948) 1932 frontier violence 386 see Arnhem Land Expedition location unknown 290 Americans, Specht’s memories of 289–90 Specht’s description 164 Anderson, Sheila Gordon 81 Stone Age fantasy 377–8 Anglo-Japanese relations Arnhem Land Aboriginal cultures xii pre-World War II 61
453 Exploring the Legacy of the 1948 Arnhem Land Expedition
Arnhem Land Aboriginal Reserve 306 artists Arnhem Land art Yolngu, with Mountford 46, 47 categories 44 artwork Arnhem Land Expedition xi–xii artistic attribution 45, 46, 47 60 years of hindsight 423 assimilation 97–8 Aboriginal commentary 379 Australia anthropological guidance 50 1947 five-year defence budget 57 archaeological team 136 American strategic purposes 57–8 archaeology 136–8 development of the north 67 Calwell’s commitment to 66–7 geographic value 58 customary economy at Kunnanj, Fish post-World War II 56–60 Creek 115–22 US lecture presentation tour 66–7 delayed for one year 176–7 Australia, New Zealand, United States discovery of films 242–3 (ANZUS) Security Treaty 57 distribution of specimens 20–2 Australian Broadcasting Commission as source of economic wealth 393 (ABC) first documentary aired 12–13 commission an ‘aboriginal corroboree’ lasting significance 172 408 leadership conflict 265–6 Features Department 88, 105 nine-point agenda 115 first documentary on the Expedition origin 4, 14-15, 254–5 12–13 overview 171–88 meeting national needs 91 planning 273 participating in Expedition 91 political context 70–1 radio documentary Delissaville: Death positive PR 64–8 rite for Mabalung 367 reunion of non-Aboriginal and radio dramas 88 Aboriginal descendants 429–30 Australian Government viewed as anachronistic 1–2 aim for the Expedition 159 wide interest in 172 joint sponsorship 159 see also Expedition team Australian Security Intelligence Arnhem Land Reserve Organisation (ASIO) 55 1931 declaration 116–17 Australian Walkabout (ABC) Arrkukluk 411 inaugural airing 92 art, myth and symbolism, testing inauguration 88 propositions 38–40 Island of Yoi (radio documentary) 91 art historians name choice 93–4, 95 interest in Aboriginal art 44 radio documentary 87–9 art objects stated objective 92 mid-1980s purchasing method 347–8 authenticity, culturally determined 96–9 art supplies bark sheets 41 pigments 41–2
454 Index
B equipment 81 Bailey, David 4–5 new to documentary genre 10–11 Balanda role and background xiv cultural brokerage 393 bauxite mining 393 term for white people 3 Bayini Balarra, Bill (Liyagawumirr) 220, 221 associated beliefs fluid 353 Balga songs 361–2 birth of concept 345 Balga-style song cycle 361 claims of descent from 346 Balma site 3 Macknight’s dismissal of the concept Bark painting of string-figure dreaming- 345 place 204 post-Expedition references 346 bark paintings pre-Macassan traders 337–9, 341 documentation 45 sculptures publicly displayed 346 fetch more money 223 Bayini men and women of Port Bradshaw McCarthy’s collection brief 48 (painting) 339 Mountford documenting 42 Bayini narratives Mountford’s collection 218 conflicted with Christian message 350 sea eagle 261 `hidden’ dimensions 342, 347 bark sheets 41 Bayini natives, deemed sacred 338 Barks, Birds & Billabongs Symposium Baymarrwanga, Laurie 231, 232 Aboriginal participation in 26–7, 425 Beazley, Kim 19 degree of respect 435 Bell, Alexander Graham, 76–8 initiators’ individual interests xi belts 225, 225 international touring exhibition plans Belyuen (see Delissaville) 431–2 Berndt, Ronald new and unexamined ideas 431 preoccupation with Aboriginal organisation 432 sexuality 414–15 process of uncovering and publishes secret material 415 remembering 423–4 senior leaders request withdrawal of running commentary on silent movie book 416 429–30 Berndt, Ronald and Catherine 24 barramundi and feral pig 130 Bickerton Island barramundi drive 129 food-gathering techniques 179, 382 Barrihdjowkkeng 124 nutritional studies 160, 179 Barrtjap, Tommy 369, 370 plant specimens 162 base camp sites Billington, Brian 176 reason for choices 177 Nutrition Unit 294–5 baskets role and background xiv coiled technique 229–30 using a microscope 379 styles and uses 227, 227 Bininj Gunwok language 115, 123 twined 236 Binyinyiwuy (Djambarrpuyngu) 220, 221 Bassett-Smith, Peter (film-maker) 176 Birch, Bruce 365 demonstrating Expedition radio 17
455 Exploring the Legacy of the 1948 Arnhem Land Expedition
‘Bird life on a swamp on Arnhem Land leading role in research 158–9 1948’ (recording) 88, 90, 107–11 Bray, John E 5, 95, 176 bird recording experience 107–9 role and background xiv Birdsell, Joseph 208–9 Brideson, Hedley 253 Birrinydji (Dreaming Macassan) 344, 346, Brinkin songs 362 349, 351, 352 bronze bust 187 black–white relations in Arnhem Land, Brown, Ada 327 history 343 Brown, Archie 314, 320, 326 Blitner, Donald 394, 426, 430 story of removal of Marrarna’s remains Blitner, Frederick 381, 382 327–34 Blitner, Gerald (Gerry) 384, 394, 399, 400 brown paper drawing 36 childhood life 382–3 Bryce, Quentin x comes to Umbakumba 390 buffalo hunt recording 101–5 cultural broker 391 Buniyi, Renelle 436 death 400 Bureau of American Ethnology 15 employable talents 385 ‘burnim rag’ ceremony 365–74 first impressions 379 Burrenjuck, Kenny 370, 375 fish collection methods 275–6 Burrenjuck, Timothy 372 involvement with Expedition 381–2 Burrumarra, David 343, 351 lack of photographs 384–5 criticised secret materials made public memories of Gray 387 415 memories of team members 385 discloses Dreaming Macassan 351–2 mentions by Expedition members 383 explains disclosure 344–5 Mountford’s memories 383 meaning of stories 342–4 Mountford’s style of fieldwork 396–7 reasons for nondisclosure 344 provided Indigenous insights 178–9 bush diet 125 relationship with Miller 393 relationship with Mountford 394 C spear fishing277 Cahill, Paddy 117 uncovers dimensions of the Expedition Calwell, Arthur 4 365 bonds with Setzler 58–9 view of racial hybridity 385 correspondence with Setzler 68–71 ‘yella fella’ comment 392 delays expedition for one year 177 Blitner, Jessie 394 describes Arnhem Land 403–4 Board for Anthropological Research dislike of Evatt 60–70 expeditions 40 film potential for international bone collecting see skeletal material publicity 174 botanical collection historical 64–8 distribution of deposited sets 163 role in Arnhem Land Expedition 175–6 significance and scope 166 Setzler’s description 55 botanical survey, scope of work 165 Cape Don Botany Department, University of indigenous memories 320–6 Adelaide
456 Index
Cape Stewart indigenous 351–2 fibre object distribution 217 Yolngu beliefs 349–50 Cashner, Frances 281 Yolngu social order 341 Cashner, Mollie 281 church attendance, food payment for 420 Cashner, Robert 281 Church Missionary Society Cassia harneyi specimen 168 conflict with team members 264 caste system 335 Oenpelli settlement 117, 183 cave paintings 263–4 cinema, silent film with commentary 11 ceremonial exchange 364–5 citizenship 97–8 ceremonies clan songs (Manikay) 362 future role 420–1 clans, Yolngu 3 importance today 420 clap-stick beating patterns 373 Kapuk (Karaboga) 366–74 Clarke, Annie 430 Karaboga ‘final mourning’ ceremony Clements, Frederick 157–8 361 Clever Man, American see Johnson, major regional cult 404 David H. male initiation 396 Coate, Howard 7, 48–9, 53, 179 photography 404 Cobourg Peninsula 317 preparation and organisation 409 Johnson’s trek 313 regional totemic cult 406–12 Cold War 55, 58, 60–4 stage management 410–11 correspondence between two liberal staged for cameras 406 anti-communists 68–71 tensions associated with performance collecting policy 230 51–2 collecting practice Umbakumba fight 398 acquisitions 222–4 Chaloupka, George 415 Mountford 221, 224 Chasm, Island, rock art site 135 Setzler 221–2, 230 chest harnesses 225 collection size Chifley government equated to success 16, 191 1946–49 period 61 colour photography 77, 82–3 Cold War 62 Community Development Employment population growth benefits 63 Projects (CDEP) scheme 130 post-World War II policies 60–4 Community Perspective panel 423 suppressing miners’ strike 58 containers 227, 227 child endowment legislation 305–6, Coon, Carleton S. 14 387–8 cordage 228 children Cordon, Keith separation from parents 388 role and background xiv `stolen generation’ 305–6 corroborees China, emerging threat 63–4 Katherine River 43 Christian missions 19 Cosmos Club lunch 14 Christianity crayon drawings the Dreaming 337–8 delineating tribal territories 37
457 Exploring the Legacy of the 1948 Arnhem Land Expedition
significance 36 debates about 195–6 technique 38 McCarthy’s approach 197–8 Crocker, Robert Langdon 286 study of string figures 195 cross-cultural encounters 397, 398, 430 disclosure history 348–9 community role 347–8 crucifixion, painting of262 context of 348–9 cultural brokerage history of 344–6 Balanda 393 reflections on 352–4 roles of 391 sacred objects 340–4 culture recognition, Aboriginal 98 Djakala 234 customary economy Djanbarrpuyungungu 220 Fish Creek 127–8 Djauan (Jawoyn) trading and sweetheart customary sector song 363 hunter-gatherer tradition 127 Djikanmurruwuy carrying pandanus 233 post-colonial transformation 127 documentary as emerging genre 10–11 pre-colonial times 127–8 domination, subaltern resistance of 342 Dreaming D Christianity 337–8 dance Dreaming Macassan 338, 344, 345 enactment of knowledge 375 artefacts connected with 346 Darrarndarra, Buckley 314 disclosure 351–2 Davidson, D. S. 197 dresses 225 deceased’s spirit Driver, Arthur Robert 19, 52, 180 focus of ceremony 368 Dunkley, Aub 103–4 Deignan, Herbert G. 6, 176 Dyer, Alf 262–3 , 184, 186, 273, 289 role and background xiv E Delissaville (also known as Belyuen) ecology audiovisual recordings 356 early theory and practice 157–8 fibre object distribution 217 trends in the discipline 158 recordings 360–3, 362–3 ecological study sound recordings 364 South Australia 286 source of recordings 355 economy see customary sector; hybrid Dhalwangu clan 352 economy; market sector Dhamarrandji, Djombala x, 432, 433, 436 Eden, entering, analogy 99–100 Dhamarrandji, Manimawuy x, 432, 433, Edmonds, Stan 285 436 Elcho Island Dharramanydji, Jeffrey 423 challenges to traditional religious life diaries 396 415 dietary analysis fibre object distribution 217 research methods 123–4 funerary rites 350 diffusionist theory Elcho Island Church 350 Arnhem Land string figures 208 Elcho Island mission 340
458 Index
Elkin, A.P. Expedition to Arnhem Land (radio banned Australian broadcast of documentary) 13, 87–9 Wubarr 414 expeditions campaign against Mountford 8, 35 conflict between members 48 fieldwork methods 9–10 NGS sponsored 78 Specht’s view of 293 old idea/new media 10 Ellemor, Reverend Alfred F. 217 published studies 23 ethno-botany 303 uniquely Western 18 ethnographic archives experimental dairy farm 117 digitisation 25 ethnographic holdings 20 F ethnographic records, visual 24–5 fair trade ethnologists 395 Milingimbi 219–20 Ethnology Register 228, 228–9 Fenton, William N. ethnographic film 404–6 cultural anthropologist 14–15 Evatt, communist takeover in China 63–4 feral pig carcasses 131 expedition, concept of 2 fibre objects Expedition records armbands 223, 225, 226 publication delay 309–10 baskets 229–30 Expedition team bodywear 225, 225 anniversaries 25–6 categories 224–5 anthropologist, McCarthy xiv containers 227, 227 archaeologist, Setzler xiv cordage 228 biochemist, Hodges xiv daily uses 213–14 Blitner’s memory of politics 394–5 distribution 214–16 botanist, Specht xiv distribution between sites 217 cine-photographer, Bassett-Smith xiv exceptional 229–30 cook, Hollow and Bray xiv, 4, 5 geographic spread 216, 217 corresponding with Wetmore 186 making 234 deputy leader, Setzler 4 missing items 228, 228–30 doctor, Billington 294–5 number and types 214–16, 215 entomologist, honorary, Bray xiv, 4, 5 pendants 228 Ethnologist, Mountford xiv registered and found 228 growing tension 181 field recordings 101 herpetologist, Miller 275 content 90 ichthyologist, Miller xiv including `wild sounds’ 106–7 internal tensions 25 fieldwork mammalogist, Johnson xiv community-based approach 155 nutritionist, McArthur xiv Mountford 346–7 ornithologist, Deignan 289 fieldwork methodology represented gendered society 392 A.P. Elkin 9–10 Specht’s recruitment 159–61 benefits of working alone 36 see also entries for individual team McCarthy 154, 155 members 459 Exploring the Legacy of the 1948 Arnhem Land Expedition
film footage Gingi (Wobukarra) 220, 221 unapproved public use 21 God, Yolngu debate about 353 films 24–5 `going walkabout’ 92–3 archival arrangements 250 Goldberg, Frank 66–7 cataloguing of film reels and footage Gray, Frederick Harold 239–40 honorary Aboriginal protector 19 condition of 244–7 no religious agenda or affiliation 377 duplication process 249–50 Umbakaumba settlement 305, 389 examination of 246–8 life-style 388 `flipped images’ 246 pre-Umbakumba life 386 motion picture footage log 240 proposes by telegram 388 original raw footage 239 Gray, Marjorie 268, 305, 306, 390 `orphan work’ 241–2 Groote Eylandt `outtakes’ 239, 240 archaeology 138–9 preservation project 247–50 excavation sites map 143 splicing methods 246 fibre object distribution 217 firewood, women carrying 233 postwar population 382 Fish Creek relationship terms 50 bush diet 125 rock art recordings 135 gendered work ethic 125–6, 126 songs, recordings of 357 time gathering food 119 Grosvenor, Dr Gilbert Hovey 4, 10, 77–9, flag treaty proposal 351 84 food consumption Grosvenor, Melville Bell 84 dietary content 118 Gumbula, Joe Neparrnga 22, 233–5, 235, Fish Creek group 117–22 237, 238, 432, 433, 436 relationship to work effort 120 Gumurdul, Donald 416–17 foreign visitation, various waves 348–9 Gunbalang (Kun-barlang) ‘sweetheart’ freshwater fishes 278 song 363 freshwater fishes, Mexican 279 Gunbalanya 263 funeral rite, Delissaville 25 appearance of old men 184 camp site 182 G experimental dairy farm 117 Garawirrtja, Djangirrawuy x, 432, 433, feature radio program 355 436 fibre object distribution 217 Garde, Murray 428 most difficult camp 182, 183 Gartside, Donald 281 photographic sessions 82 Gaykamangu, Mungunu 234 plant specimens 162 gendered society 391–2 program of audio recording 10, 89, `Geographic man’ image 83–4 363, 364 geological investigation, ongoing 281–2 rich and abundant 184 Giles, Raymond 89, 89, 355 rock art areas 262–4 field recordings 90 township 183 Gillies, Marion 309
460 Index
H I Haddon, Alfred C. identities, loss of 231 string figure making instructions 194 immigration program 65 `Half-Caste Survey’ 384 ‘India,’ recording of ceremonies 51 Hannah, Reverend Tom 217 Indigenous art see Aboriginal art Harney, William E (Bill) 49, 181, 296 Indigenous authenticity 96–9 role and background xiv Indigenous communities Harris, Joshua 245 caught up in political and social goals headdresses 225 188 Hemple Bay, work effort 119 distress over some 1948 work 186–8 `hidden’ (sacred) dimension 342 Indigenous memories hidden transcripts Cape Don 320–6 explained 342 Indigenous Rhodes Scholar, first 433 the Other are Yolngu 348 Indi-indi ‘trade’ corroboree songs 361 reinterpretation of a public story 338 initiation chants, Mindarini 361 significance seems lost 353 Iniwakada (mythical sea eagle) 261 Hodges, Kelvin 176, 294–5 Injalak Hill 263 role and background xiv ‘inside’ story 403 Hoeng, Sabine 313, 427 institutional speech 105–6 Hollow, Reginald international trade, Australia’s first 341 role and background xiv interpretation 152 homelands movement 123 Islamic traders 341–2 Hooton, Earnest A. 383–4 Island of Yoi (radio documentary) 91 Hubbard, Gardiner Greene 76 Hubbs, Carl 271, 280 J human figures Johnson, David H. 176, 182, 273, 289, in rock art 148–9, 150 291 human remains see skeletal material appearance 314 `humanised geography’ 83 at Cape Don 314–17 hunter-gatherer tradition mammalogist 313 gender work divisions 119–20 performing taxidermy 315, 316 postwar transition 114 role and background xiv `the original affluent society’ 120 solo walk to Oenpelli 327 hunter-gatherers status as a marrkijbu 317 now hunter fishers 132 stay at Cape Don 320 twenty-first-century society 132 Jolliffe, Eric (cartoonist) 47, 274, 274 hybrid economy Juduruna, rock art 135 Mumeka, Mann River (1979–1980) 122–6, 128 K 21st century Australia 132–3 `Kakadu naked’ (novella) 99–100 transformation 130 kangaroo being butchered 125–6, 126 Kapuk (Karaboga) ceremony 366–74 second part discontinued 373–4
461 Exploring the Legacy of the 1948 Arnhem Land Expedition
similarities and differences 1948–2008 Macassan prau painting 149, 151–2 370, 370–4 Macassan trepangers 3, 344 song structure and content 372–3 Macasser Well, excavation 136 Karaboga ‘final mourning’ ceremony 361 Macknight, Campbell 345–6 kinship relationships Madowk carrying pandanus 233 inadequately recorded 368 Madsen, Virginia 88 positioning in 369, 369 Magee, John 281 Kodachrome 82–3, 243 magpie-goose hunt 129 Kumbiala 303, 304, 304 Makarrwala, Harry 220 Kunabibi (Kunapipi) ceremony 2008, Makarrwala, Jackie 220 Gunbalanya 343, 396, 420 Malaleuca Magnifica 167 Kuninjku (Kunwinjku) people Mangulda, Charlie 314, 320 move to Maningrida settlement 120, Manikay 434 123 Manikay performers x Kunnanj, Fish Creek 113, 117 Mann River 113 customary economy 115–22 Marakara, Nipper (Kumutun) 183, 185 Kuwarr ceremony 319 Marawana (Larry) 263 Marett, Allan (as singer) 370 L functions for Kapuk 366 labour force participation rate 125–6 Marika, Mathaman 201 Lalara, Jabani 430 provided Yolngu names 209 `land of the dead,’ Yolngu 349 Marika, Mawalan 182, 192, 260, 262 land system survey, northern Australia Marika, Wandjuk 3–4, 181, 192, 204-206, 288 209, 341, 392-3 language distribution map 115 Marika, Wandjuk, string figures 204, 205 language groups 123, 360–1 marine fishes vs freshwater fishes 279 Arnhem Land 26 market sector 128 Iwaidja 29 Marrala, Khaki 314, 320 marriage laws 364 Marrarna 335 Lanyipi, Gordon x remains moved to US 327–34 Legislative Council (Northern Territory) marriage laws 29, 364 19 marrkijbu 317, 319 liberal internationalism 56 Material culture 20, 35, 54, 137, 140, 152, linking objects and people 231 192, 197-8, 213, 219-221, 237 Liwukang, George 351 May, Sally K. xi, 378, 423 loss of identities 231 McArthur, Margaret 176, 294 ‘love magic’ songs 361 alone with local people 181 Lowe, Bryce 245 background 116 collecting material culture 238 M Fish Creek dietary results 118–19 MacArthur, General Douglas 58, 65 food-gathering techniques 179 Macassan contact, estimated inception of living with Aboriginal group 113 contact 151 method influence Meehan 125
462 Index
nutrition of local people 116–17 Aboriginal workers 220, 221 Nutrition Unit 294–5 basket design 233 research disregarded 120 basket styles 230, 231 research methods 116–17 camp environment 217–18 role and background xiv collecting practice in 222 McCarthy, Frederick D. 176, 347 collection quantities 228 brief to collect bark paintings 48–9 fair trade 219–20 collection of string figures 191 fibre object distribution 217 coup against Mountford 53 important collection site 216 diary entry for string figures 203 objects collected 237–8 diffusionist theory 192–8 reason not a base camp 224 Diploma of Anthropology studies shell mounds 136 196–7 twined basket from 236 disappointed natives too ‘civilised’ 377 Miller, Frances 280 distrustful of Mountford’s intentions Miller, Gifford 280–2 218 Miller, Robert R. 176, 272, 273, 274, 276, fieldwork methodology 154, 155 277, 280 Groote Eylandt aims and achievements advocate for conservation 279–80 135 early life 271–2 Groote Eylandt rock art 140–1 expert on Mexican freshwater fishes late addition to team 192–8 279 material culture specialist 116 family legacy 280–1 Nutrition Unit 294 first time in bush 290 page from string figure notes 207 fish collection purpose of rock art research 153 size 274 recording and documenting string Gerry Blitner 276 figures 198–9 Gerry Blitner’s memories 381 reliance on material culture 152 gets Dengue 295 resided with Aboriginal group at joins Expedition 273, 289 Kunnanj 113 Oenpelli, rich source of specimens 184 rock art classificatory scheme 140 relationship with Blitner 393 rock art interpretations 140–1 role and background xiv role and background xiv University of Michigan job offer 278 Specht’s view of 293 Milngawurruwuy, David 220, 221 Meehan, Betty 125 Mindarini initiation chants 361 Melaleuca magnifica specimen 300 Mindarini songs 365 men’s work Mininyala 234 hunting and gathering 119 Minyimak, David ‘Cookie’ 314, 320, 320 Mumeka, Mann river 124–5 missionaries 19–20 Menzies, Robert G. 55, 57 mixed-race people Mexican freshwater fishes 279 lack of interest in 384 migrants, United States 65, 67 Mosek [Manpurr] (dancer and composer) Milingimbi 182 361, 362, 363
463 Exploring the Legacy of the 1948 Arnhem Land Expedition
motion pictures 239–51 collection method unorthodox 346–7 Mountford, Bessie 176 condensed Wubarr ceremony 409 assisted Setzler 180 correspondence describes Milingimbi basketmaker 216 Mountford–Sheard Collection 264–6 diary entries to NGS President 174–5 documents tensions 52 to W. Lloyd Warner 37 invaluable records 266–8 discarding papers 253 thoughts on collecting 238 disposing of artefacts 229 Umbakumba people observed 267 explains purpose of expedition 13, 95 duties 45 fieldwork journals 261, 262 economic foundation of Umbakumba filming from a Catalina 257 387 films and records secret men’s Expedition activities 266–8 ceremony 398–9 helped Specht preserve specimens 161 Gerry Blitner’s memories 381 interaction with Yirrkala women 267–8 health 186, 295 as diarist 161 interest in secret-sacred ceremonies leadership conflict 265–6, 268 395–6 on Marjorie Gray 268 knowledge of Indigenous art 174 marriage 266 leader of Expedition 177 Milingimbi 217 leadership plant named after her 162 asked to relinquish 6, 53, 180 political activities 266 Specht’s view 292–3 role and background xiv lecture tour of the US (1944–5) 66–7, Mountford, Charles Pearcy 4, 33 81, 174, 254–5, 273 1945–46 US tour 405 lecture tour of the US (2nd 1946) 256 Aboriginal art memories of Gerry Blitner 383 obtaining and documenting 45 methodology 35 understanding of 42–4 next to Gray’s `native settlement’ 178 accepts imminent demise of traditional no expedition as comprehensive 159 culture 40 official 1945 research proposal 174 in Adelaide 173 organisational challenge 40 allows removal of human remains 21 personal journal 256–9 anthropological expeditions to Central recording ceremonial songs 51 Australia 174 with Yolngu artists 46, 47 approach to anthropology and art 35 popularisation of Aboriginal art 269 art supplies provision 41 presentation to National Geographic art-collecting methodology 53–4 Society 171 artwork, artistic attribution 47 purpose of Expedition 13–14 asks for team unity 186 reasons for appointment 49 awarded funding for expedition 174 relationships background 8, 293 A.P. Elkin 8 characterisation of 34 Blitner 394 collecting practice 45, 47, 221, 224 Tindale 254, 255
464 Index
rock-art motif interpretation 39–40 N role and background xiv Nadjamerrek, Bardayal 404, 417 self-taught ethnographer 254 Nadjamerrek, Donna 423 size of collection 16 Nakwarrba, Banjo 397 sound recordings 259–60 Namarnyilk, Jimmy Kalarriya 428, 429 criticism of Australian anthropology Namatjira, Albert 44 14–15 Nangapiana 180 writings nation building 56 Groote Eylandt Journal 45 National Geographic magazine newspaper articles 42 broadened membership 77 through Board for Anthropological cover presentation change 79 Research 42 exclusive rights 408 Yirrkala 181 foreign editorial staff 80 early life 173 funding scientific expeditions 78 Mountford–Sheard Collection of the pioneer publication 10 State Library of South Australia specialised editorial staff 84 253–354 use of colour photography 77 correspondence 264–6 National Geographic Society legacy 268–9 cultivated image 79 Oenpelli songs 364 deportment of editorial staff 73–4 photographs 259 endorse Mountford’s leadership 53 rock art galleries 263 foundation and roles 74 Mulka Centre (community digital geography broadly construed 78 knowledge centre) 25 membership base 76–8 Mundine, Djon 347–8 name selection 75 Munn, Nancy 34 offer Mountford support 273 Muntjingu, Peter (Gupapyngu) 220, 221 presentation by Mountford 66 Mununggurr, Ngarrawu 1960s and 1970s directions 84 demonstrates string figures 192 sponsorship of expeditions 78 examples of string figures 202 National Geographic Society Film mission and Expedition work 201–2 Archives 239, 241 recording instructions 202 collection management 241–2 string figure skill 192 lecture films 241 Murphy, Anthony 423, 427, 429 National Geographic Society lectures Murphy, Kevin 52, 180, 181 Setzler lecture film 241 museum collections, objects from National Geographic Society Research Expedition 214–16 Committee 171 music national security issues 67 credit for recordings 358 national-history writings 23 in secular and ceremonial life 355 nationhood mythological trajectories changing sense of 97 placed in context 37 `native chants’ recording of 9–10 natural-history specimens 20
465 Exploring the Legacy of the 1948 Arnhem Land Expedition
Nawirridj, Wilfred 423, 425, 429 Peterson, Nicolas 24 Neale, Margo xi, 436 Petrov affair 65–6 necklaces 225 Phantom supply vessel 183 Ngarrawu 200 Phoenix supply barge 3, 47, 82, 177, 178, McCarthy notes her assistance 209 257, 258 Ngularra 234 photographic equipment 81 Ngulurra 233 photographs 24–5, 259 Ngurlmarrk see Wubarr ceremony photography Nineteen Forty-Eight time line 1 challenge of dark skin 385 non-Aborigines landscape shots 83 Yongu thoughts on origin and purpose shot lists 82 344–5 Wubarr ceremony 411–12 North-East Arnhem Land Aboriginal see also colour photography People see Yolngu pigments 41–2 North-West Arnhem Land Pilawak 369–70 insight into culture 334 `place,’ idea of 163–5 Nutrition Unit 294–5 plant specimens dietary recommendations 121–2 collecting and classifying 298–9, 300, Nyilco (Nilcoo), Lame Roy 369, 371 301–2 Nyindi-yindi repertory 372–3 collection and care 161 drying methods 161–2, 287 O plaster hand and face casts 179–80 Obiri cave paintings 263–4 Poignant, Roslyn 24–5 Oenpelli see Gunbalanya Politics of Repatriation panel 425, 427 Oenpelli Hill 411 population base original affluent society theory 126, 132, growth benefits 63 133 Port Darwin Aboriginal songs 357 Orwell, George 1 pottery shards, Macassan 139 Other or ‘the Other’ pre-colonial transformation who is considered 348 customary sector 127–8 ‘outside’ story 403 pre-Macassans (Bayini) outstations 123 described 28 outstations, state support 133 hidden transcript 337–9 ownership issues, lack of sensitivity Prescott, Professor James 288 towards 346 `preventive conservation’ 243 pricing P disagreement regarding 222 pandanus, women carrying 233 Mission 219–20 pandanus collecting 298 pubic covers 225 paper drawings 49 public songs, didjeridu-accompanied 360 past chronologies, measuring 137 `public transcripts’ 342 pendants 228 Pyrox Wire Recorder 89 performance at National Museum of Australia 423, 433, 434 466 Index
Q salvage mentality, later benefits of 425 Qantas base 386, 387 sambar deer 319 quantitative data collection 122, 128 Scott, James C. 342 sea eagle, mythical (Iniwakada) 261 R secret-sacred ceremonies 412–16 radio, demonstrated 17 made public 414, 416 radio documentary feature 12, 87–9, 96, Seibert, Elvin 180 355 Setzler, Frank M. 4, 173, 176, 273, 276, ‘rag-burning’ ceremony 365–74 277 Rankin, Douglas 374 1950 Washington lecture opening 239 Rankmore, Brooke 430, 435 archaeologist by disposition 6, 15 recording equipment 94 arrival at Umbakumba 383 problems with 355 bond with Calwell 55, 58–9 recordings Cascade beer 290 question of authority 105–6 collecting practice 221–2, 230 Tiwi material 360 correspondence with Calwell 68–71 regional Aboriginal economy 127 deputy leader 6, 177 regions visited during 1948 Expedition describes Wubarr ceremony 410 172 Gerry Blitner’s memories 381 Richards, Rebecca 433 Groote Eylandt aims and achievements Richardson, Lori 423 135 ritual see ceremonies leadership role 7 rock art Milingimbi photography 234 archaeological research approach 154 Mountford’s collecting practice 224 cave paintings 263–4 offered leadership 52–3 domestic scenes 149 offered Leadership role 180–1 figurative motifs 148–9,150 plaster hand and face casts 179–80 human figures 151 recorded 2400 rock art 135 marine and terrestrial fauna 149 recorded interviews 100–1 McCarthy’s classificatory scheme 140-1 relationship with McCarthy 48 McCarthy’s interpretation 152 removes human remains 21 motif interpretation 39–40 role and background xiv rock engravings at Panaramittee 39 Specht’s memories of arrival 289–90 silhouettes and line paintings 149, 150, staged ceremonies 406 151 younger Indigenous men keen to assist stencils 151 178 techniques 148–9, 151–3, 153 shaman 313 rock art galleries, pictures of 263–4 Sheard, Harold Rose, Frederick 50, 386–7 project to archive Mountford’s Roth, Walter Edmund 23–4 collection 253 `shot lists’ 82 S shuttles 227 Sahlins, Marshall 114, 120–1, 132 silhouettes, dominant style 151
467 Exploring the Legacy of the 1948 Arnhem Land Expedition
silhouettes and line paintings 149 online research portal 431 Simpson, Colin return of human remains 21–2, 22, 433 ABC Features Department 105 snapshots, use of term 356 Aboriginal culture recognition 98 Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Australian Walkabout series 87–9 Scheme 56 on Bessie Mountford 266–7 social anthropology credit for music recordings 358 use of new media 9–10 inaugurated Australian Walkabout songs series 88 Balga 361–2 initiated audio recording 10 Balga public genre 362 mistook purpose of Kapuk 366 Brinkin 162 Mountford–Sheard collection of ceremonial exchange 364–5 recordings 362 didgeridu-accompanied 363 Oenpelli feature radio program 355 Djuauan (Jawoyn) trading and Oenpelli, description of 184 sweetheart song 363 Oenpelli sound recordings 363 Groote Eylandt recordings 357 post-ABC career 111 Gunbalang (Kun-barlang) ‘sweetheart’ presentation style 95 song 363 professional habits 92 Manikay 362 public broadcast of songs 413–14 men’s and women’s versions 362 public revelation of secret material Port Darwin 357 413–14 private and public status 362 recording session 89 provenance of 11 public songs 363 recordings 358, 359, 360 public ceremony 362 summary contents 359 Wangga 360–1, 363 reflection on importance of the Winmala 357, 358 expedition 171 Worgait 357 writing for recording 100–1 see also ceremonies skeletal material sorry ceremony 304–5 distresses caused by removal 186–8 Sound Effect (SFX) 87 departure from Smithsonian Institution sound recordings 22, 22 authenticity of actuality 100–1 no permit required to collect 21–2 radio documentary features 87–9 omitted from inventory of collections South Australian Museum 254 21 Southwick, Margaret 388 repatriation 425, 428 Specht, Alison 309 Smithsonian basket E387541 229–30 Specht, Raymond L. 176, 283, 291, 307, Smithsonian Institution 15 429, 429, 436 delay expedition 176–7 Aboriginal contact 302 endorsement of Mountford’s leadership after the Expedition 309–10 53 bonds with Nutrition Unit members importance of Expedition 6 294–5 interest in Expedition 4 camp diary 179
468 Index
career achievements 284 string figures 192 career trajectory 284–7, 288 an `untouched field’ 199 collecting and classifying plant existence in process of making 194 specimens 298–9, 300, 301–2 instructions for making 194 Expedition members, discipline 159 Lightning/Bapa 193 holistic understanding of place 163–5 link to tribal mythology 208 joins Expedition 159–60 material value 210, 212 memories of Mountford’s leadership motive for study 195 292–3 mounting and documenting 201–3 memories of the Americans 289–90 notes from McCarthy’s book 207 naming plants 303 photographing designs 205–6 Oenpelli prolific with specimens 184 representing environment 206, 207 preparing for the expedition 287–9 `social background’ 204 publications 284 of Yirrkala 191–212, 207 recording methods 163 superimposed paintings recruited to team 286–7 ceiling detail 150 remembers Bill Harney 297–8 family group 150 role and background xiv `swaggie’ image 94 sorting, identifying and labelling Szasz, Margaret Connell 391 specimens 308 teacher training 285–6 T view of McCarthy 293 Taylor, William R. 278 view of Mountford 292–3 team members see Expedition team specimens `Territory Growth Towns’ 134 natural-history 20 `The call of the wild’ (essay) 88 transcontinental distribution 20–1 Thomas, Martin xi, 231, 247, 429 volume equates to success 16 visited three main bases to check on Spencer, Baldwin memories 378 Wubarr performance 408 Thompson, John 9, 89, 95 Spender, John 60 Thomson, Donald 24, 397 splicing Tindale, N.B. (Norman) materials used 244–5, 246 crayon drawings 37 methods 246 encouraged Mountford to continue ‘starving scientists’ article 177–8 Central Australia exploration State Library of South Australia 174 Mountford–Sheard Collection 253–354 field trip with Mountford 255 original recordings 261 intensive team methodology 35 stencils 151 no interest in Mountford’s papers for `stolen generation’ 305–6 the Museum 254, 395 `Stone-Age’ world 19–20 tribal boundary and mapping project Strehlow, T.G.H. 37 sold restricted photographs 412–13 Tjarrata songs 361–2 string bag 226
469 Exploring the Legacy of the 1948 Arnhem Land Expedition
tobacco as currency 4, 220, 222, 347, 361, roving NGS reporter 74 393, 409-10 stranded on Phoenix 177 tradition and transformation, 1948–2009 surveys team members 191 127–31 unconventional appearance 83–4 tribal boundary and mapping project 37 writing style 80–1 young life 80 U Wanambi, Rita 435 Ubar see Wubarr Wanambi, Wukan 423 Umbakumba 240 Wanambi, Wukun 435 Bessie Mountford’s observations 267 Wanderer II (ketch) 82 community 305 Wangga songs 360–1 display of ‘civilisation’ 390 cultural exchange 364 first base camp 160, 177, 377 historical origins 363 flying boat 386 Warner, William Lloyd 136, 219, 396 uses from 1930s 377 Webb, Steve 423, 428 United States Western Arnhem Land Australia’s relationship with 55-71 white contact 117 Mountford’s lecture tours 66–7, 81, near Oenpelli 165 174, 254–5, 273 economic activity and food Mountford’s 2nd (1946) lecture tour consumption 113 256 Wetmore, Alexander 4, 6–8 University of Michigan 278 correspondence to Setzler 6 V from team members 186 Victory supply vessel 183 ensured NGS’s funding support 81 vinegar syndrome 244 white authority 19 `wild sounds,’ recording 87–9, 88 W wildlife harvesting 128 Wake, Tom 367 key continuities 130 `walkabout,’ term 92–3 Williams, Joy 427 Walker, Harrison Howell Dodge 75, 240 Winchelsea Island assigned to Australia 81 Macassan artefacts 139 films Coral Sea 290 Winmala song 357, 358 first position 80 wire recorder 94–5 Gerry Blitner’s memories 381 women’s work hired by National Geographic 80 food gathering 119 impression made 73 Mumeka, Mann river 124–5 later life 84 Wood, Professor Joseph 158, 284, 285, NGS photographing 74 286 photographic equipment 81 Woodah Island clan 304 representative of NGS 239 wooden toy canoe, children play with retirement 84 260 role and background xiv
470 Index
Worgait Y songs 357 Yattalunga rock shelter paintings 38 term explained 360 Yirrkala work effort second base camp 3 Hemple Bay 119 shuttle 227 Mumeka, Mann River 124–6 string bag 226 time measurement 118 two different clans 209 workforce participation Yirrkala Fish Creek 117–22 Bessie Mountford’s observations 267 Hemple Bay 125–6 camp set up 160 workforce participation rate 125–6 fibre object distribution 217 Fish Creek/Hemple Bay 121 fieldwork 182 Working on Country program 130 mission conditions 200 Worsley, Peter 382 Mountford’s journal entry 258 Wubarr ceremony plant specimens 162 1948 location 411 second base camp 180 ceremonial ground 410 Yirrkala cemetery 3 clothing 410–11 Yolngu commentary on viewing footage Christianity of 351–2 417–18 Christianity/Dreaming discussion 337 context of team’s recording 419 contact with Macassans 341 film footage shown in US 413 cosmology 337–9 four performances documented 408 `hidden transcript’ 338 ‘hidden story’ 407–8 response to non-Aborigines 338–9 inception and performance 406–12 seeking best of non-Aboriginal world modified for non-Aboriginal audience 353 409 vision of future 353–4 performance history 407 Yolngu beliefs public showing of video cassette Christianity 349–50 416–17 Yolngu clans 3, 200 published in public domain 413–14 Yolngu rituals recordings 360 legacy from Macassans 341 repatriation of 1948 film 416–18 yumbarrbarr (malevolent spirit) 317–19 rituals 409 Yunupingu, Munggurray 339 Seltzer’s diary 410 Yunupingu, Susan, string figure Wubarr Ceremony, The (painting by technique 211 Bardayal Nadjamerrek) 404 Wubarr songs 363 wunymalang spirits 366, 367–8
471