Victorian Aboriginal Life and customs Through early european eyes David Frankel Janine Major LA TROBE UNIVERSITY EBUREAU La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia https://library.latrobe.edu.au/ebureau/ Published in Australia by La Trobe University © La Trobe University 2017 First published 2017 Copyright Information Copyright in this work is vested in La Trobe University. Unless otherwise stated, material within this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Non Derivatives License CC BY-NC-ND http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Victorian Aboriginal life and customs through early European eyes Selected and edited by David Frankel and Janine Major ISBN 978-0-9953727-0-2 Other information Designed by La Trobe eBureau Enquiries: [email protected] WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers should be aware that this book contains images and names of people who have since passed away. Cover Image: ‘Aboriginesofvictoria01-315a-Fig99’ from Wikimedia Commons used under CC0 CONTENTS 3 Contents Acknowledgments . 8 About the Editors . 9 General Notes . 10 Language . 11 Organisation . 11 Major sources and reading . 11 Ethno-historical sources . 12 General . 13 Units of Measurement . 14 Introduction . 15 Some Key Figures . 18 Ceremony . 20 Ceremonies and Initiation . 21 Corroborees, Dance and Music . 28 Clothing and Adornment . 39 Cloaks and Rugs . 40 Headdress . 42 Necklaces, Amulets and Other Items . 44 Bags and Belts . 46 Body Painting . 47 Nose Piercing . 47 Scarification . 49 Conflict and Fighting . 51 General Conflict . 52 Weapons . 58 Women . 63 Cooking . 65 Ovens . 66 Mammals . .. 70 Birds and Aquatic Animals . 71 VICTORIAN ABORIGINAL LIFE AND CUSTOMS SELECTED AND EDITED BY DAVID FRANKEL THROUGH EARLY EUROPEAN EYES AND JANINE MAJOR CONTENTS 4 Country and Environment . 73 General . 74 Population . 78 Communication . 82 Messengers . 83 Message Sticks . 85 Smoke Signals . 87 Calls . 88 Pathways . 88 Death and Burial . 89 Burials and Graves . 90 Cremation . 97 News of Death . 98 Mourning . 98 Women and Children . 102 Other Practices . 103 Beliefs . .. 106 Fire . 108 Making Fire . 109 Fire in Hunting . 112 Fire in Landscape Management . 113 Fishing . 114 Traps . 115 Lines . 120 Nets . 121 Spears . 123 Diving . 127 Food and Drink . 128 Roots . 129 Fruit and Vegetables . .. 131 Seeds . 134 Honey . .. 135 Gum . 135 Eggs . 137 Mammals . 137 Birds . 139 VICTORIAN ABORIGINAL LIFE AND CUSTOMS SELECTED AND EDITED BY DAVID FRANKEL THROUGH EARLY EUROPEAN EYES AND JANINE MAJOR CONTENTS 5 Aquatic Resources . 139 Reptiles and Frogs . 142 Insects . 142 Various Foods . 145 Drink . 148 Health . 152 Illness . 153 Treatment . 155 Hunting . 163 Equipment . .. 164 Hunting Parties . .. 164 Women as Hunters . 165 Dingoes in Hunting . 165 Mammals . 166 Birds . 170 Huts and Villages . 178 Camps . 179 Huts and Their Construction . 183 Stone Structures . 188 Marriage and Betrothal . 189 Marriage and Betrothal . 190 Male Role in Arrangements . 192 Ceremonies . 194 Exogamy . 194 Polygamy . 195 Fidelity . 196 Exchange of Wives . 197 ‘Stealing’ Women . ..