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CHAPTER II

SOCIAL ORGANISATION AND MARRIAGE REGULATIONS

Tribes without class organisation.--Bathurst and Melville Island natives.--Local groups.--Port Essington tribe.--Kakadu tribe.--Allotment of wives; a woman of the status of a man's mother allotted to him as wife, with consequent change of terms of relationship.--Widows passing to younger brothers of deceased husband.--Tribes with class organisation.--Tribes with indirect male descent: Warrai, Waduman, Mudburra, Maluuru, Djauan, Yungman, Mungarai.--Tribes with direct male descent: Mara, Nullakun.--Tables of relationship terms.--Larakia, Worgait, Port Essington, Melville Island, Djauan, Mungarai, Nullakun, Kakadu, Waduman.--Status terms: Kakadu, Melville Island, Waduman, Mudburra, Port Essington, Larakia, Worgait, Djauan, Nullakun, Mungarai.

THERE are very wide differences between various tribes in regard to Organisation, and it is interesting to notice that, what are presumably the most modified tribes, are met with on the far northern coastal districts and on Melville and Bathurst Islands. At the other extremity of Australia, in its extreme south-eastern corner, we meet with equally modified tribes, or did so until some years ago. In both parts--the north and the south--the most striking feature is that there is no trace left of classes, or at most a very doubtful one, and that the organisation is essentially a local one, with, in the north, an attendant, well-marked totemic system.

{p. 43}

The tribes we are now dealing with may be divided into two main groups: (A) those without class organisation, and (B) those with class organisation.

(A) TRIBES WITHOUT CLASS ORGANISATION.

(1) Bathurst and Melville Islands.

These two islands are inhabited by a tribe of wild and, physically, remarkably well-developed natives, who are easily distinguishable from all others by the way in which they ornament their bodies with a series of V-shaped cicatrices, which they call Miunga, and are supposed to represent the barbs on their heavy spears. So far as my experience goes, the marks on these Islanders are the only ones which serve to identify the particular tribe to which any special individual belongs. From the region of Lake Eyre in the south, across the continent to Darwin and away east to the Gulf of Carpentaria, though all natives are more or less marked with cicatrices, there is nothing in them which is in any way distinctive of totem, class or particular tribe. The nearest approach to anything of this kind are the cuts made on the backs of adult men in the Urabunna, Dieri, Wonkgongaru and other tribes, who have passed through the Wilyaru, or its equivalent, final initiation ceremony. These marks, however, are characteristic of the whole of the Dieri nation and not of any class or special tribe. The Melville and Bathurst Islanders can, however, always be distinguished, and the fact that they can serves to emphasise still more strongly the absence of any such possibility in the case of all the mainland tribes in Central and Northern Australia.

Despite repeated inquiries, I have not been able to find out any true tribal name for the islanders. There are definite and well-known names applied to local groups,

{p. 44}

but, though doubtless it exists, I tried in vain to find out a name equivalent to that of Larakia or Kakadu. My informants, also, knew of the existence of these and other tribal names on the mainland. It is astonishing how difficult it often is to get reliable information in regard to a subject such as this, where there is, apparently, no question of the matter being of a sacred or secret nature. As a matter of fact, in all tribes the tribal name is not

Map Showing Distribution of Local Groups on Melville Island and Bathurst Island

MAP SHOWING DISTRIBUTION OF LOCAL GROUPS ON MELVILLE AND BATHURST ISLANDS.

The numbers correspond to those in the list of localities and local groups given in the text.

often used and, very often, there is one name applied by the members to themselves and quite a different one by outsiders. The Larakia natives at Darwin speak of Bathurst and Melville as Wongok; the natives on the latter call both the mainland and the natives there Jeruula. The natives at Cape Donn, near Essington, call Melville Island, which they can see across the water, Wamuk,

{p. 45}

The natives, on both Bathurst and Melville Islands, are divided into a series of local groups, each of which is supposed to occupy and own a special well-defined district. These districts are indicated on the accompanying map. Though their language, customs and beliefs are identical, there is only a certain amount of intercourse between the natives of the two islands, who are, at least, mutually distrustful of one another. Every now and then the men from a camp on one side of Apsley Strait will raid a camp on the other.

The list of local groups on Melville Island is, I think, complete; that on Bathurst probably is not. The numbers in the following list correspond to those on the map. In each case the name in brackets is the name of the local group inhabiting that locality. It will be noticed that the name of the group is made by adding the suffix ulla to that of the locality-

(a) Melville Island Groups.

(1) Mundiimbu (Mundiinibulla).
(2) Ulobu (Ulobulla).
(3) Arangijera (Arangijerulla).
(4) Yeimbi (Yeimbulla).
(5) Cherupu (Cherupulla).
(6) Kambuambu (Kambuambulla).
(7) Barranpunalli (Barranpunalliulla).
(8) Munupu (Munupulla).
(9) Purumunapu (Purumunapulla).
(10) Mindalu (Mindaluulla).
(11) Balauiungamba (Balauiungambulla).
(12) Marungallambu (Marungallambulla).

(b) Bathurst Island Groups.

(13) Malauu (Malauulla).
(14) Urongu (Urongulla).
(15) Tchikalaua (Tchikalauulla).

The separation of the local groups from one another is very clearly marked indeed if they come together for the performance of special ceremonies, such as those connected

{p. 46}

with mourning. When I was last on Bathurst Island, watching these ceremonies, there were representatives of two local groups present called respectively Malauulla and Tjikalauulla. They camped some distance away from one another, and though they foregathered during the actual dancing, yet, immediately this was over, they separated.

I was unable to ascertain anything definite in regard to the marriage system beyond the fact, as described in connection with the account of totemic systems, that it is closely associated with and regulated by the totemic groups, In some cases it is certainly concerned with the local group, a man of one group taking as a wife a woman of another, who then comes into his own group to which his children also belong, but, whether this is always the case, I cannot say positively, though I believe it to be so.

(2) Iwaidji or Port Essington Tribe.

This tribe is evidently much modified. There are apparently three divisions, called respectively Munbulkitj, Manjerojelli and Manjerawuli, amongst whom the totemic groups are divided, very unequally, the first having four, the second two and the third seven. Munbulkitj and Manjerojelli marry Manjerawuli people and vice versâ, but members of the two former may not intermarry. Whether the three divisions are the vestiges of formerly existing classes it is impossible to say, and my informants were quite clear that there are no more than these three. The Port Essington tribe is allied to the Kakadu amongst whom there are very strongly developed local groups, and it is quite possible that these three groups are based on locality. The totem groups are strictly exogamous, and descent of both local group (or division) and of totemic group is in the female line.

{p. 47}

(3) Kakadu Tribe.

This is the representative of a number of tribes inhabiting the northern coastal area, all of whom differ in important respects from the more typical tribes with whom they are in contact on their inland borders. Their distribution is shown on the map (page 44).

The tribe is not divided into moieties nor are there any classes. If such were ever present, they have disappeared completely, leaving not a trace behind them to indicate their former existence. The organisation is now entirely local. In the far past time their mythic ancestor, Imberombera, sent out different pairs of individuals to various parts of the country, now occupied by the Kakadu and other tribes of the same nation. In these places they formed local centres, peopled, at first, with spirit individuals who have since been undergoing reincarnation. Tradition explains how, in the early days, the members of different local groups intermarried, and, at the present time, just as then, each individual man secures his wife, or wives. from some special local group. The totem group has nothing to do with marriage.

An elder man frequently has several wives, of varying age, and there is one method of allotment of wives which is, so far as I am aware, peculiar to this nation of tribes. I have not met with it in any of the Central tribes nor does it seem to have been noted elsewhere in Australia.

This method consists in the allotment to a man of a woman who belongs to the generation immediately senior to himself, and who stands to him in the relationship of Koiyu, that is, father's wife, or Ngaila, mother's brother's wife. The Koiyu women, of course, include his own actual mother, but that particular woman may not be allotted to him.

{p. 48}

The table on page 49 represents two actual cases of this, which, though strange, appears to be a well-recognised practice in these tribes.

Nabanja and Tjilongogo were brothers and Ungaraerria was a tribal brother, one of whose wives was a young woman named Kumbainba, who had a son named Mukalakki.

Tjilongogo had a son named Monmuna. The latter had seven wives, but, as shown in the table which includes all his family, he had remarkably few children.[1]

Amongst his wives he had two, called respectively Allarima (1) and Kumbainba (3), who had once belonged to two men who were his papa-fathers or fathers' brothers. Kumbainba had been married to a man named Ungara-erria and, by him, had a son named Mukalakki. She was still young when she was handed on to Monmuna.

Monmuna, by his wife, Mumungara, had a son named Nulwoiyu, who is still a mere boy.

Nabanja had a son named Kulingepu-kunamullajumbo, who, amongst others, married a woman named Wareiya, by whom he had a son named Ungara-mulyarami and a daughter named Koetto.

Ungara has two wives called, respectively, Mumulandi and Mitjingari. Koetto is married to Kulanyo-jarraman, by whom she has three sons, Kadjimuk, Burnimakori and Wudeirti.

When Kumbainba (3) was allotted as wife to Monmuna, Mukalakki became Ngoornberri, or son, to the latter; Nullaberri, or younger brother. to Ungara-mulyarami, because the latter was a son of a Baranga or elder

[1. The relatively small number of children is not infrequently to be noticed amongst these tribes. While I was at Oenpelli a man of Geimbio tribe, closely allied to the Kakadu, came into camp with family including six wives, but only four children. The age of the wives must have varied from fifteen to fifty.]

{p. 49}

Genealogical Chart

{p. 50}

brother of Monmuna; and Baranga or elder brother to Nulwoiyu.

When Monmuna died, the jaidja (mother's brothers) of the women concerned, told Numerialmak (5) to go to Mukalakki as his wife, which she did, and Kumbainba (3) to go to Ungara as his wife, which she did. Both of these men have other wives, given to them by the fathers of the women, but the jaidja of any woman can allot her to one of the sons of her husband, provided she be not that son's actual mother.

These arrangements are made before the death of any man, such as, in this case, Monmuna, and they affect the terms of relationship used. Thus Mukalakki calls Allarima, Gudjukatju, Kumbainba, Mimonau, Niniokolura and Mumungara, koiyu, or mother, but Numerialmak he calls ngunkomukali, or wife, and he actually applied this term to her while the old Monmuna was alive, though she was not then in his possession and he had no marital relations with her. Mukalakki calls Numerialmak's brother muraguji, or wife's brother. If she had had any children by Monmuna he would have called them nullaberi, younger brother, or illaberri, younger sister while Monmuna was alive, and ngoornberri, sons, or ngungornberri, daughters, after his death. So again, he calls the father of each of the first above-named six women, peipi, or mother's father, but the father of Numerialmak he calls keerli, or wife's father. Further still, Ungara was baranga, or elder brother, of Mukalakki, but, when Numerialmak, the actual mother of Mukalakki, was allotted to Ungara as wife, Mukalakki called him papa, or father. These two men, Ungara and Mukalakki, were constantly with Mr. Cahill and myself, at Oenpelli, so that we had every opportunity of hearing them speak to one another.

{p. 51}

Numerialmak calls Mukalakki ngunkomukali, or husband, just as she did Monmuna, and applies the same term to Nulwoiyu because, if Mukalakki had died before Monmuna did, she would have been allotted to Nulwoiyu. She calls Allarima and Kumbainba, who had been allotted to Monmuna and belong to a generation senior to her own, ngailor, or father's sisters. She calls Gudjakatji and Mimonau makorngo, that is elder sisters; Niniokolura and Mumungara she calls illaberri, or younger sisters.

Ungara calls all the women, except Kumbainba, koiyu, or mother, but he calls her ngunkomukali, or wife, because she was allotted to him, and she also calls him ngunkomukali, or husband. Ungara also calls the fathers of all the women, save Kumbainba, peipi, or mother's father, the father of Kumbainba he calls keerli, or wife's father.

Kunamullajumbo also had, as one of his wives, a woman who had been the wife of his father Nabaiya, and Ungara called that woman koiyu.

There was also living in camp a man named Mitjeriunga who has a wife named Workerlaki who has been allotted to the son of the former named Mitjeralak. The latter calls the woman ngunkomukali, and she applies this term to both of them.

Ungara has a son to whom, in the future, a wife belonging to Nulwoiyu will be allotted, and that son calls Ungara papa.

This handing on of a woman to a man who is at the level of her son, is always done by the woman's mother's .brothers. For example, as Numerialmak herself told us, It was her father who gave her to Monmuna, but her jaidja who told her to go to Mukalakki. She was very much younger than Monmuna, and does not appear to be any older than Mukalakki.

When a man dies, beyond the special allotment to men

{p. 52}

on the level of sons, the widows normally pass to younger brothers of the dead man, not to older ones. Thus, recently, the man named in the table Kulanyo-yarraman died. He had an elder brother, called Mappleburra, and a younger one, Kopereik. When Kulanyo-yarraman died Kopereik was away and Mappleburra took the lubra Koetto, but when Kopereik returned, the first thing that he did was to go and take the woman away from Mapplebura. Again, Mukalakki has a wife called Mitchunga, who, it is already arranged, will go to Nulwoiyu on Mukalakki's death.

As an example of the allotment of a mother's brother's wife we may take the case of Ungara-mulyurami. His brothers are dead and he has no sons, so it has been arranged that, on his death, Mitchingari, one of his wives, is to pass to Kadjimuk, or, should he die, to Wudeirti, both of whom are sons of Ungara's sister named Koetto, Each of these men calls Mumulandi ngailor, that is, father's sister, but Mitchingari they call ngunkomukali.

It will easily be understood that this curious system of allotment and, consequently, of change of terms of relationship, produces extraordinary complications, but the natives appear to find no difficulty in working the system, and when in camp they will tell you readily the relationship of all the different members present to one another.

To the same group of tribes belong, apparently, the Koarnbut, Quiradara, Norweilemil, Punuurlu, Kumertuo, Geimbio, Malanji, and, possibly, the Larakia. These, together with the Iwaidji, Kakadu, and the Melville an Bathurst Islanders, form a group of tribes sharply marked off, not only by the absence of class organisation, but by the fact that their initiation ceremonies at' distinguished by the absence of both circumcision and subincision.

{p. 53}

(B). TRIBES WITH CLASS ORGANISATION.

(a) Tribes with indirect male descent.

(1). Warrai tribe. This is a tribe usually called Wolwonga by whites. It is now entirely decadent, its remnant occupying the country between a place called Rum Jungle and Brock's Creek on the short railway line that runs south from Darwin.

The tribe is divided into four classes, and there are no names for the moieties. The organisation is as follows, the names of women's groups, corresponding to those of the men, being placed in brackets:--

Moiety 1.

Moiety 2.

Children.

Children.

Adjumbitj
(Alljambitj)

Appungerti
(Allpungerti)

Appularan
(Allpularan)

Auinmitj
(Allimitj)

Appularan
(Allpularan)

Auinmitj
(Allinmitj)

Adjumbitj
(Alljambitj)

Appungerti
(Allpungerti)

 

An Adjumbitj man marries an Allpungerti woman, and the children are Appularan (males) and Allpularan (females).

An Appularan man marries an Allinmitj woman, and the children are Adjumbitj (males) and Alljambitj (females).

An Appungerti man marries an Alljamjbitj {sic} woman, and the children are Auinmitj (males) and Allimitj (females).

An Auinmitj man marries an Allpularan woman, and the children are Appungerti (males) and Allpungerti (females).

Except that there are distinct names for women, which

{p. 54}

are slight variants on those for the men, the organisation is closely similar to that of the southern Arunta, where there are only four class names. It must, however, be remembered that, though there are only four such names, yet, in all tribes in which this is so, each of them is divided into two groups so that, for example, one group of Adjumbitj men intermarry with only one group of Allpungerti women, the other group of the latter women are forbidden to these men. In most tribes distinct names are given to the two groups, so that there are eight in all.

It is somewhat remarkable to find two tribes, each with the four, named, intermarrying groups, one at each end of the long stretch of country, a thousand miles in all, that lies between the southernmost Arunta and the Warrai in the north. In all these tribes the organisation is fundamentally identical, but it is only at the extreme northern and southern limits that we find only four class names, elsewhere there are always eight.

The northern boundary of the Warrai tribe is coterminous with the southern of the coastal tribes--in this particular part the Larakia, though the latter has long been practically decimated, its degraded remnants hanging about the settlements. It is also a curious circumstance that the Arunta people have a very definite tradition of a great leader who, in the far past time, led a body of uncircumcised men away out of the Arunta country and travelled on with them until they came to the salt water in the far north. On the shores of the latter they camped and are supposed to have remained there ever since.

(2). Waduman tribe.

The names of the moieties have been lost. There are distinct sub-class names for males and females and

{p. 55}

intermarrying sub-classes such as Uanai and Urella are spoken of as being Tjimuri or mates.

The names of the female sub-classes are in brackets.

Moiety 1.

Moiety 2.

Children.

Children.

Uanai
(Imbanai)

Urella
(Imburella)

Yunguri
(Inbunguri)

Inmirra
(Inganmira)

Imit
(Imbidenni)

Yungalla
(Ingungalla)

Ualeri
(Impalieri)

Tjabijin
(Ibajin)

Ualeri
(Impalieri)

Inmirra
(Inganmirra)

Imit
(Imbidenni)

Urella
(Imburella)

Yunguri
(Inbunguri)

Tjabijin
(Tjabijai)

Uanai
(Imbanai)

Yungalla
(Ingungalla

 

(3). Mudburra tribe.

The names of the moieties have been lost. There are distinct sub-class names for males and females, those of the latter being printed in brackets.

Moiety 1.

Moiety 2.

Children.

Children.

Tjanama
(Nana)

Tjula
(Nanula)

Tjunguri
(Nunguri)

Tjimara
(Nimara)

Tjimija
(Namija)

Tjungalla
(Nungalla)

Tjaliri
(Naliri)

Tjambijina
(Nambijina)

Tjaliri
(Naliri)

Tjimara
(Nimara)

Tjimija
(Namija)

Tjula
(Nanula)

Tjunguri
(Nunguri)

Tjambijina
(Nambijina)

Tjanama
(Nana)

Tjungalla
(Nungalla)

 

{p. 56}

(4) Maluuru tribe.

The names of the moieties have been lost. There are distinct sub-class names for males and females, those of the latter being printed in brackets.

Moiety 1.

Moiety 2.

Children.

Children.

Tjanama
(Nama)

Tjula
(Nala)

Tjunguri
(Nunguri)

Tjamera
(Nimara)

Tjimit
(Namit)

Tjingalla
(Nungalla)

Tjaliari
(Naliri)

Tjabijin
(Nabijin)

Tjaliari
(Naliri)

Tjamera
(Nimara)

Tjimit
(Namit)

Tjula
(Nala)

Tjunguri
(Nunguri)

Tjabijin
(Nabijin)

Tjanama
(Nama)

Tjingulla
(Nungalla)

 

(5). Djauan tribe.

The names of the sub-classes are as follows and, in brackets, I have given those of the corresponding ones in the Warramunga tribe. The names of the moieties are lost.

Moiety 1.

Moiety 2.

Gnaritjban (Thapanunga)

Waidba (Tjupila)

Pulainba (Tjunguri)

Kungilla (Thungalla)

Palieringba (Tjapeltjeri)

Kamara (Nakomara)

Pungaringba (Thapungarti)

Wamut (Tjambin)

 

{p. 57}

The intermarrying sub-classes and those of the children represented in the following table. In this tribe the and women have not, apparently, got distinct sub-class names.

Moiety 1

Moiety 2.

Children.

Children.

Guaritjban {sic}

Waidba

Pungaringba

Kamara

Pulainba

Kungilla

Palieringba

Wamut

Palieringba

Kamara

Pulainba

Waidba

Pungaringba

Wamut

Gnaritjban

Kungilla

 

In the Djauan tribe pairs of sub-classes such as Gnaritjban and Pungaringba or Waidba and Kumara certain of the individual members of which stand to one another in the relationship of fathers and children, are called Kumuranban.

(6). Yungman tribe.

The names of the sub-classes are as follows and, in brackets, I have given those of the corresponding ones in the Djauan tribe. The names of the moieties are lost.

Moiety 1.

Moiety 2.

Uanai (Gnaritjban)

Urella (Waidba)

Imit (Pulainba)

Yungalla (Kungilla)

Ualeri (Palieringba)

Inmirra (Kamara)

Uunguri (Pangaringba)

Tjabidjin (Wamut)

 

{p. 58}

The intermarrying sub-classes and those of the children are as represented in the following table. In this tribe the men and women have distinct sub-class names, those of the latter being placed in brackets.

Moiety 1.

Moiety 2.

Children.

Children.

Uanai
(Imbanai)

Urella
(Imburella)

Uunguri
(Inbunguri)

Inmirra
(Ingangmirra)

Imit
(Imidenni)

Yungalla
(Ingungalla)

Ualeri
(Imbaleri)

Tjabidjin
(Tjabidai)

Ualeri
(Imbaleri)

Inmirra
(Inganmirra)

Imit
(Imidenni)

Urella
(Imburella)

Uunguri
(Inbunguri)

Tjabidjin
(Tjabidai)

Uanai
(Imbanai)

Yungalla
(Ingungalla)

 

A Uanai man marries an Imburella woman and their children are Uunguri if, boys and Inbunguri if girls. A Urella man marries an Imbanai woman and their children are Inmirra if boys, and Ingangmirra if girls.

(7) Mungarai Tribe.

The names of the moieties are retained. Those of the sub-classes are as follows and, in brackets, I have given the corresponding ones of the Djauan tribe.

Moiety 1.--Nakarangua.

Moiety 2.--Ngaballana.

Ngaritjbellan (Gnaritjban)

Ngarburella (Waidba)

Ngabullan (Pulainba)

Ngangiella (Kungilla)

Ngapalieri (Palieringba)

Nakomara (Kamara)

Ngapungari (Pungarongba)

Tjabijin (Wamut)

 

{p. 59}

The inter-marrying sub-classes and those of the children are as represented in the following table:

Moiety 1.--Makarangua.

Moiety 2.--Ngaballana.

Children.

Children.

Ngaritjbellan

Ngaburella

Ngapungari

Nakomara

Ngabullan

Ngangiella

Ngapalieri

Tjabijin

Ngapalieri

Nakomara

Ngabullan

Ngaburella

Ngapungari

Tjabijin

Ngaritjbellan

Ngangiella

 

A Ngaritjbellan man marries a Ngaburella woman and their children are Ngapungari, A Ngaburella man marries a Ngaritjbellan woman and their children are Nakomara.

There is nothing special about these tribes to distinguish them, so far as their classificatory systems are concerned, from the great group, extending from Oodnadatta in the south to Brocks Creek, within 100 miles of the northern coast line. Eastwards they extend across to the borderland of Queensland and the coastal ranges fringing the Gulf of Carpentaria. Westwards they stretch down the Daly, Katherine, Flora, and Victoria Rivers to the coast and, probably, extend into the northern parts of West Australia. Mrs. Bates and Mr. A. R. Brown have shown that tribes with the four-class system., similar in essential respects to the southern Arunta and the Warrai, extend over wide areas in Western Australia. In all these tribes, descent of the class is counted in the paternal line.

We have previously dealt in detail with the Arunta and Warramunga Tribes,[1] and what we have described in

[1. Cf. Native Tribes of Central Australia, Chap. III., and Northern Tribes of Central Australia, Chap. III., p. 104-132.]

{p. 60}

connection with them holds good, precisely, for the others.

(b) Tribes with direct male descent.

(1) Mara Tribe.

This is an example of a group of tribes the organisation of which was first dealt with by Mr. Gillen and myself.[1] We came in contact with some members of it at Borroloola on the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1901. During 1911, whilst travelling down the Roper River, I again encountered the tribe, and with the aid of a very intelligent native, a Mumbali man named Waluunja, was able, after considerable inquiry, to determine the correspondence of the sub-classes of this tribe, in which descent, so far as the actual class name is concerned, is counted in the direct male line, with those in the adjoining Mungarai tribe, in which descent is counted in the indirect male line. I was also able to ascertain the names of the moieties.

These are, as shown in the following table, four class and no sub-class names.

TABLE 1.

Moiety 1.--Muluri.

Moiety 2.-Umbana.

Murungun

Purdal

Mumbali

Kuial

 

Further inquiry, however, shows that, though there are no distinct names for them, each class is really divided into two groups-the equivalents of the sub-classes in the Arunta and Warramunga. They are, in fact, precisely similar to the unnamed groups into which each class is

[1. Spencer and Gillen, The Northern Tribes of Central Australia.]

{p. 61}

divided in the southern half of the Arunta and in the Warrai tribe.

These can be represented, using the letters a and b {in the original text, a and b are the Greek letters alpha and beta--jbh} to indicate the two divisions of each class. as follows

TABLE 2.

Moiety 1.--Muluri.

Moiety 2.--Umbana.

Murungun a

Purdal a

Murungun b

Purdal b

Mumbali a

Kuial a

Mumbali b

Kuial b

 

When, however, we come to deal with the marriage relationships and the counting of descent it will be seen that these are very different from those met with in adjoining tribes, amongst whom the arrangements are similar to those amongst the Warramunga. The intermarrying groups, which are really the equivalents of subclasses, together with those into which the children pass, can be represented as follows:

TABLE 3.

Moiety 1--Muluri.

Moiety 2.--Umbana.

Children.

Children.

Murungun a

Purdal a

Murungun b

Purdal b

Murungun b

Kuial b

Murungun a

Kuial a

Mumbali a

Kuial a

Mumbali b

Kuial b

Mumbali b

Purdal b

Mumbali a

Purdal a

 

{p. 62}

A Murungun a man must marry a Purdal a woman and their children are Murungun b. So again a Murungun b man must marry a Kuial b woman and their children are Murungun a.

The children of a Murungun man are thus always Murungun. Some Murungun men marry Purdal and others Kuial women, the marriage alternating in successive generations. Thus a Murungun a man marries a Purdal a woman, but his son, who is Murungun b, marries a Kuial b woman. The sons in the next generation are Murungun a and marry, once more, Purdal a women.

The fact of some Murungun and Mumbali men marrying Purdal and others Kuial women, and vice versâ, was so different from anything in the marriage arrangements in any other Australian tribes known to us that we, spent much time in investigating the matter and making ourselves as sure as we could on the point. I am glad to be able now to corroborate our previous conclusions by means of evidence collected in quite another part of the tribe from that in which Mr. Gillen and myself previously worked.

The native, Waluunja, who explained the matter to me on the Roper River, was one of the most intelligent aboriginals whom I have met; he had also a very fair I knowledge of English. The contrast between him and other old men from whom I was, at the same time, attempting to get information on the organisation of the tribes was most striking and made me feel more than ever convinced that matters such as the division of the tribe into intermarrying groups could very well be the result of the deliberate thinking out of a scheme on the part of certain members of the tribe more highly gifted than the common run. The scheme by means of which the divisions, Murungun a, b, etc., are made to fit

{p. 63}

in with the sub-classes of the Mungarai and other tribes with which the Mara come into contact, is at all events both a deliberate and ingenious device, and reveals very considerable powers of reasoning and organising. It can be represented in the following table in which the names of the equivalent sub-classes in the Mungarai Tribe are placed in brackets:--

TABLE 4.

Moiety 1.--Muluri.

Moiety 2.--Umbana.

Children.

Children.

Murungun a
(Ngaritjbellan)

Purdal a
(Ngaburella)

Murungun b
(Ngapungari)

Purdal b
(Nakomara)

Murungun b
(Ngapungari)

Kuial b
(Tjabijin)

Murungun a
(Ngritjbellan)

Kuial a
(Ngangiella)

Mumbali a
(Ngabullan)

Kuial a
(Ngangiella)

Mumbali b
(Ngapalieri)

Kuial a
(Tjalbijin)

Mumbali b
(Ngapalieri)

Purdal b
(Nakomara)

Mumbali a
(Ngabullan)

Purdal a
(Ngaburella)

 

This means that the class Murungun, for example, is divided into two groups, which are regarded, respectively, as the equivalents of the sub-classes Ngaritjbellan and Ngapungari in the Mungarai Tribe. We have already seen that the children of Murungun a men pass into the division Murungun b, which is just the same thing as in the Mungarai, where the children of Ngaritjbellan men are Ngapungari, and vice versâ. So, again, Murungun a men marry Purdal a and Murungun b men marry Kuial b women. Now, under the scheme devised, Purdal a women are the equivalents of Ngaburella and Kuial b of Tjabijin women in the Mungarai Tribe. Murungun a men are the same as Ngaritjbellan and they must marry

{p. 64}

Ngaburella women, while Murungun b, who are the equivalents of Ngapungari, must marry Tjabijin.

(2) Nullakun Tribe.

In essential features this tribe agrees with the Mara, It has retained the moiety names and has also four class but no sub-class names. In the following table the equivalent names in the Mara tribe are given in brackets:--

TABLE 1.

Moiety 1.--Ballakninni.

Moiety 2.---Kokwa.

Jobal (Murungun)

Ulakaraninni (Purdal)

Mangaralli (Mumbali)

Gindar (Kuial)

 

As in the Mara tribe, each class is really divided into two, though there are no names for these, which are the strict equivalents of sub-classes. Using the letters a and b to indicate these, the intermarrying groups and those into which the children pass can be represented as follows:--

TABLE 3.

Moiety 1.--Ballakninni.

Moiety 2.--Kokwa.

Children.

Children.

Jobal a

Ulakarininni a

Jobal b

Ulakarininni b

Jobal b

Gindar b

Jobal a

Gindar a

Mangaralli a

Gindar a

Mangaralli b

Gindar b

Mangaralli b

Ulakarininni b

Mangaralli a

Ulakarininni a

 

{p. 65}

Where the Nullakun tribe comes into contact with the Mungarai and others having the eight sub-class system, the same plan is adopted to allow the two organisations to work side by side, which has already been described dealing with the Mara tribe.

In the following tables the relationship terms are given amongst a typical series of tribes.

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--LARAKIA TRIBE

(MAN SPEAKING.)

Native Term.

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Nurdung

Father

Father

 

Father's brother

Uncle

 

Mother's sister's husband

Uncle

Kudung

Father's brother's wife

Aunt

Nurdla

Father's father

Grandfather

 

Father's father's elder brother

Great uncle

Ngoak

Father's father's younger brother

Great uncle

Alladik or Almuk

Father's father's wife

Grandmother

Nimerk

Father's father's father

Great grandfather

Kudung

Father's father's mother

Great grandmother

Almerk

Father's father's father's sister

Great great aunt

Nurdla

Father's elder brother's son

Cousin

Ngoak

Father's younger brother's son

Cousin

Kudung

Mother

Mother

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

Allap

Mother's mother

Grandmother

Unya[1]

Mother's elder brother

Uncle

Imurburra

Mother's brother's son

Cousin

Nurdla

Mother's elder sister's son

Cousin

Ngoak

Mother's younger sister's son

Cousin

Nurdla

Elder brother

Brother

Ngoak

Younger brother

Brother

Alladik

Elder brother's wife

Sister-in-law

 

Younger brother's wife

------

Nimerk

Brother's son

Nephew

Almerk

Brother's daughter

Niece

Kudung

Brother's son's wife

------

Ngoak

Brother's son's son

------

Alladik

Brother's son's son's wife

------

 

[1. It is the Unya man who says to his nugunyi "you may have my daughter as alladik when she is born." Betrothal often, indeed usually, takes place before birth and the youth, from the betrothal onwards, gives womeras, food, etc., to his prospective father-in-law.]

{p. 66}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship to English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Nugunyi

Brother's daughter's husband

-----

Unmull

Elder sister

Sister

Nguluk

Younger sister

Sister

Ngan

Sister's husband

Brother-in-law

Nugunyi

Sister's husband's father

------

Nugunyi

Sister's son

Nephew

Allgunyi

Sister's daughter

Niece

Mitt-mitt

Elder sister's son's son

------

All-it-mitt

Elder sister's son's daughter

------

Nimerk

Son

Son.

 

Brother's son

Nephew

Kudung

Son's wife

Daughter-in-law

Ngoak

Son's son

Grandson.

Alladik

Son's son's wife

------

Nimerk

Son's son's son

Great grandson

Almerk

Daughter

Daughter

Nugunyi

Daughter's husband

Son-in-law

Mitt-mitt

Daughter's son

Grandson

All-it-mitt

Daughter's daughter

Granddaughter

Alladik

Wife

Wife

 

Wife's sister

Sister-in-law

Unya

Wife's father

Father-in-law

 

Wife's father's brother,

------

Allap

Wife's mother

Mother-in-law

 

Wife's mother's sister

------

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--LARAKIA TRIBE.

(WOMAN SPEAKING.)

Nurdung

Father

Father

 

Father's brother

Uncle

 

Mother's sister's husband

Uncle

 

Brother's wife's father

------

Nurdla

Elder brother

Brother

 

Father's elder brother's son

Cousin

Ngoak

Younger brother

Brother

 

Father's younger brother's son

Cousin

Kudung

Mother

Mother

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

Almuk

Elder sister

Sister

 

Father's elder brother's daughter

Cousin

 

Mother's sister's daughter

Cousin

Aluk

Younger sister

Sister

 

Father's younger brother's daughter

Cousin

 

Mother's younger sister's daughter

Cousin

Ngei

Son

Son

 

Sister's son

Nephew

 

Son's son's son

Great grandson

 

Husband's father

------

 

Husband's father's brother

------

 

{p. 67}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship to English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Ngei

Husband's brother's son

------

 

Husband's father's father's father

------

Ngeimurk

Son's son

Grandson

 

Sister's son's son

------

Ngulei

Daughter

Daughter

 

Sister's daughter

Niece

Alling

Husband's mother

Mother-in-law

 

Husband's mother's sister

------

 

Husband's father's brother's wife

------

Allo

Husband's mother's mother

------

Ngan

Husband

------

 

Husband's brother

------

 

Husband's father's father

------

 

Husband's father's brother's son

------

Alladju

Daughter's daughter

Granddaughter

 

Sister's daughter's daughter

------

All-it-mitt

Daughter's daughter's daughter

Great granddaughter

 

Sister's daughter's daughter's daughter

------

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--WORGAIT TRIBE.

(MAN SPEAKING.)

Boppa

Father

Father

 

Father's brother

Uncle

 

Mother's sister's husband

Uncle

Kallung

Mother

Mother

 

Father's brother's wife

Aunt

 

Brother's sister

Aunt

Guga

Father's father's mother

Great-grandmother

 

Father's father

Grandfather

 

Father's father's brother

------

 

Son's son

Grandson

 

Brother's son's son

------

Ngungaran

Wife

Wife

 

Brother's wife

Sister-in-law

 

Mother's brother's daughter

Cousin

 

Brother's son's son's wife

------

 

Son's  son's wife

------

 

Father's father's wife

------

 

Father's brother's father's father's wife

------

Djemming

Father's father's father

Great grandfather

Kukka

Mother's mother's mother

Great grandmother

 

Mother's brother

Uncle

 

Wife's father

Father-in-law

 

Wife's father's brother

------

Ngaiyi

Daughter

Daughter

 

Brother's daughter

Niece

 

Father's father's father's sister

------

Ngambulla

Elder brother

Brother

 

{p. 68}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship to English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Ngambulla

Father's elder brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's elder sister's son

Cousin

Ngambulluk (or Balluk)

Younger brother

Brother

 

Father's younger brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's younger sister's son

Cousin

Ngamballuk

Elder sister

Sister

 

Mother's elder sister's son

Cousin

 

Wife's mother's elder brother's son

------

Ngunga

Mother's brother's son

Cousin

Niya

Son

Son

 

Brother's son

Nephew

Kallung

Brother's son's wife

Daughter-in-law

 

Son's wife

------

Balluk

Younger sister

Sister

 

Wife's mother's younger brother's daughter

------

 

Sisters husband

Brother-in-law

Naidjinga

Sister's son

Nephew

 

Sister's husband's father

------

 

Daughter's husband

Son-in-law

Nirung

Sister's daughter's daughter

------

 

Wife's mother's mother's brother

------

Niedjum

Son's son

Grandson

Ngaidjim

Daughter's daughter

Granddaughter

Ngaiwan

Wife's mother

Mother-in-law

Koppa

Wife's mother's brother

------

Mukkung

Wife's mother's mother

------

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--WORGAIT TRIBE

(WOMAN SPEAKING.)

Boppa

Father

Father

 

Father's brother

Uncle

 

Mother's sister's husband

Uncle

Ngambulla

Elder brother

Brother

 

Father's elder brother's son

Cousin

Balluk

Younger brother

Brother

 

Father's younger brother's son

Cousin

 

Younger sister

Sister

 

Mother's younger sister's daughter

Niece

Kallung

Mother

Mother

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

Mukkun

Mother's mother

Grandmother

Djemming

Mother's mother's mother

Great grandmother

Kakaballuk

Mother's brother

Uncle

 

Husband's father

Father-in-law

 

Husband's father's brother

 

Ngungaran

Husband

Husband

 

Husband's brother

Brother-in-law

 

Mother's brother's son

Cousin

 

Sister's husband

Brother-in-law

 

{p. 69}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Ngatja

Elder sister

Sister

 

Mother's elder sister's daughter

Cousin

Ngadja

Son

Son

 

Sister's son

Nephew

 

Husband's brother's son

Nephew

Niya

Son

Son

 

Husband's sister's son

Nephew

Ngaradja

Daughter

Daughter

 

Sister's daughter

Niece

 

Husband's brother's daughter

Niece

Ngawerk

Daughter's daughter

Granddaughter

 

Sister's daughter's daughter

------

Ngadjim

Daughter's daughter's daughter

Great granddaughter

Djemmingballuk

Husband's mother's mother

------

 

Husband's father's father

------

Naninballuk

Husband's mother's sister

------

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--PORT ESSINGTON TRIBE.

(MAN SPEAKING.)

Purni

Father

Father

 

Father's brother

Uncle

Wulko

Elder brother

Brother

 

Father's elder brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's elder sister's son

Cousin

Munburtj

Younger brother

Brother

 

Father's younger brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's younger sister's son

Cousin

Ngawin

Son

Son

 

Brother's son

Nephew

 

Daughter

Daughter

 

Brother's daughter

Niece

 

Father's father's father's sister

------

Wulko

Elder sister

Sister

 

Father's elder brother's daughter

Cousin

 

Mother's elder sister's daughter

Cousin

Munburtj

Younger sister

Sister

 

Father's younger brother's daughter

Niece

Kamu

Mother's younger sister's daughter

Niece

 

Mother

Mother

 

Father's brother's wife

Aunt

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

 

Father's father's mother

------

 

Son's wife

Daughter-in-law

Wonwu

Brother's son's wife

------

 

Father's father

Grandfather

 

Father's father's brother

Great uncle

 

{p. 70}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Angban (or Ilkuma)[1]

Wife

Wife

 

Wife's sister

Sister-in-law

 

Mother's brother's daughter

Cousin

 

Brother's wife

Sister-in-law

 

Father's father's wife

------

 

Son's son's wife

------

 

Brother's son's son's wife

------

 

Daughter's daughter

Granddaughter

Maia-maia

Father's father

Grandfather

Wiwi

Mother's mother

Grandmother

 

Son's son's son

Great grandson

 

Son's son's daughter

Great granddaughter

Nandulang

Mother's mother's mother

Great grandmother

Gadja (or Unburran)[2]

Mother's brother

Uncle

 

Wife's father

Father-in-law

 

Wife's father's brother

------

Kanyung

Sister's son

Nephew

 

Sister's daughter

Niece

 

Sister's husband's father

------

 

Daughter's husband

Son-in-law

 

Wife's mother's brother's son

------

Kumbala

Mother's brother's son

Nephew

Wullupullu

Wife's father's father

------

Pappam

Wife's mother's mother

------

 

Wife's mother's mother's brother

------

Ngawin

Wife's mother

Mother-in-law

 

Wife's mother's sister

------

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--PORT ESSINGTON TRIBE.

(WOMAN SPEAKING.)

Purni

Father

Father

 

Father's brother

Uncle

Wawa

Father's father

Grandfather

Wulko

Elder brother

Brother

 

Father's elder brother's son

Cousin

Munburtj

Younger brother

Brother

 

Father's younger brother's son

Cousin

Kamu

Mother

Mother

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

 

Mother's brother

Uncle

 

[1. Angban is the general term for mother's brother's daughters, all of whom are eligible as wives to a man except the daughters of his mother's actual blood brothers. Ilkuma is the name applied to the actual woman or women a man marries. Before marriage he calls them angban.

2. Gadja is the general term for mother's brother or wife's father; unburran is a special term applied to the father of a woman whom a man actually marries.]

{p. 71}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Ilkuma

Husband

Husband

 

Husband's brother

Brother-in-law

 

Sister's husband

Brother-in-law

Ngaiyang

Son

Son

 

Sister's son

Nephew

 

Daughter

Daughter

 

Sister's daughter

Niece

 

Husband's brother's son

Nephew

Nanduwiraitpan

Husband's father

Father-in-law

 

Husband's father's brother

------

Ngawin

Husband's mother

Mother-in-law

 

Husband's mother's sister

------

Wiwi

Daughter's daughter

Granddaughter

Wullupullu

Daughter's daughter's daughter

Great grand-daughter

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--MELVILLE ISLAND TRIBE.

(MAN SPEAKING.)

Narangani

Father

Father

 

Father's brother

Uncle

Yayuwinni

Brother

Brother

 

Father's brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's sister's son

Cousin

Jauaminni

Mother's brother's son

Cousin

 

Wife's brother

Brother-in-law

Mau-win-inni

Father's father

Grandfather

 

Father's father's brother

Great uncle

Yangaringa

Mother

Mother

 

Father's brother's wife

Aunt

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

 

Son's wife

Daughter-in-law

 

Brother's son's wife

------

 

Father's father's mother

Great grandmother

Namaninga

Mother's mother

Granddaughter

Illimani (or Yanarinua)[1]

Mother's brother

Uncle

 

Wife's father

Father-in-law

 

Wife's father's brother

------

Yamoaniya

Wife[2]

Wife

 

Wife's sister

Sister-in-law

 

Mother's brother's daughter

Cousin

 

Brother's wife

Sister-in-law

 

[1. The general term for fathers of women whom a man may marry is illimani.

2. The general term for the women whom it is lawful for a man to marry is yamoaniya. After the woman has actually been handed over to a man the term he applies to her is yabmuneinga.]

{p. 72}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Yamoaniya

Father's father's wife

Great grandmother

 

Son's son's wife

------

 

Brother's son's son's wife

------

Intamilli

Father's father's father

Great grandfather

Inkalippa[1]

Sister

Sister

 

Father's brother's daughter

Cousin

 

Mother's sister's daughter

Cousin

Impunga

Elder sister

Sister

 

Father's elder brother's daughter

Cousin

 

Mother's elder sister's daughter

Cousin

Imbokka

Younger sister

Sister

 

Father's younger brother's daughter

Cousin

 

Mother's younger sister's daughter

Cousin

Namiranni

Son

Son

 

Brother's son

Nephew

 

Wife's mother's brother

------

Yamurdi

Son's son

Grandson

Ngangyurminni

Son's son's son

Great grandson

Ngauraninga

Daughter

Daughter

 

Brother's daughter

Niece

Ngauamurdi

Sister's husband's father

------

 

Sister's son

Nephew

 

Daughter's husband

Son-in-law

Ngauamarinya

Sister's daughter

Niece

Mananya

Daughter's daughter

Granddaughter

Yamparinna

Daughter's daughter's daughter

Great granddaughter

Yunganpuranna

Wife's mother

Mother in-law

Auamma

Wife's mother's mother

------

Jaraminni

Wife's mother's mother's brother

------

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--MELVILLE ISLAND TRIBES.

(WOMAN SPEAKING.)

Narangani

Father

Father

 

Father's brother

Uncle

 

Mother's sister's husband

Uncle

 

Brother's wife's father

------

Yayuwinni

Brother

Brother

 

Father's brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's sister's son

Cousin

Yangaringa

Mother

Mother

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

Impunga

Elder sister

Sister

 

Mother's elder sister's daughter

Niece

 

[1. This term is applied to sisters in general, but there are also the special terms for elder and younger sisters, etc.]

{p. 73}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Imbokka

Younger sister

Sister

 

Mother's younger sister's daughter

Niece

Murdi

Son

Son

 

Sister's son

Nephew

 

Husband's brother's son

Nephew

Imauringa

Daughter

Daughter

 

Sister's daughter

Niece

Yabmuneinga

Husband

Husband

 

Sister's husband

Brother-in-law

 

Husband's brother

Brother-in-law

 

Husband's father's brother's son

------

Illimanni

Husband's father

Father-in-law

 

Husband's father's brother

------

Djimiindinga

Husband's mother

Mother-in-law

 

Husband's mother's sister

------

 

Husband's father's brother's wife

------

Yanamma

Husband's father's father

------

Mauanyinni

Husband's father's sister's son

------

Mauannia

Husband's father's sister's daughter

------

Namiraninga

Father's sister

Aunt

 

Brother's daughter

Niece

Mauanyinni

Father's sister's son

Cousin

Auwumma

Father's sister's daughter

Cousin

Namaninga

Mother's mother

Grandmother

Nauangaringa

Mother's mother's mother

Great grandmother

Yenierninga

Brother's wife

Sister-in-law

Undunganinga

Husband's father's sister

------

Kanguri

Husband's mother's brother

------

Namiranni

Husband's sister's son

Nephew

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--DJAUAN TRIBE.

(MAN SPEAKING.)

Adjat

Father

Father

 

Father's brother

Uncle

Karang

Father's father's father

Great grandfather

 

Mother

Mother

 

Father's brother's wife

Aunt

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

 

Father's father's mother

Great grandmother

 

Son's wife

Daughter-in-law

 

Brother's son's wife

------

Mora

Father's father

Grandfather

 

Father's father's brother

------

 

Son's son

Grandson

Noa

Wife

Wife

 

Brother's wife

Sister-in-law

 

Son's son's wife

------

 

Father's father's wife

Grandmother

 

Brother's son's son's wife

------

 

{p. 74}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Kakak

Mother's mother

Grandmother

Kainya

Mother's brother

Uncle

Tjarimungin or Tjamun

Mother's brother's son

Nephew

 

Mother's brother's daughter

Niece

 

Daughter's daughter

Granddaughter

Baba

Elder brother

Brother

 

Father's elder brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's elder sister's son

Cousin

Buruwa

Younger brother

Brother

 

Father's younger brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's younger sister's son

Cousin

Baba

Elder sister

Sister

 

Father's elder brother's daughter

Niece

 

Mother's elder sister's daughter

Niece

Buruwa

Younger sister

Sister

 

Father's younger brother's daughter

Niece

 

Mother's younger sister's daughter

Niece

Kumbarimba

Son

Son

 

Brother's son

Nephew

Borbor

Daughter

Daughter

 

Brother's daughter

Niece

 

Father's father's father's sister

------

Paratta

Sister's son

Nephew

 

Sister's husband's father

------

 

Daughter's husband

Son-in-law

Walnagung

Wife's father

Father-in-law

Kainguri

Wife's mother

Mother-in-law

 

Wife's mother's brother

------

 

Wife's mother's sister

------

Allauitpo

Wife's father's mother

------

Nautjpa

Wife's father's father

------

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--DJAUAN TRIBE.

(WOMAN SPEAKING.)

Adjat

Father

Father

 

Father's brother

Uncle

Mora

Father's father

Grandfather

Baba

Elder brother

Brother

 

Father's elder brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's elder sister's son

Cousin

 

Elder sister

Sister

 

Father's elder brother's daughter

Cousin

 

Mother's elder sister's daughter

Cousin

Buruwa

Younger brother

Brother

 

Father's younger brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's younger sister's son

Cousin

 

Younger sister

Sister

 

Father's younger brother's daughter

Cousin

 

{p. 75}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Buruwa

Mother's younger sister's daughter

Cousin

Karang

Mother

Mother

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

Kakak

Mother's mother

Grandmother

 

Son's son

Grandson

Tjonwalk

Brother's son

Nephew

Ngagung

Son

Son

 

Sister's son

Nephew

 

Daughter

Daughter

 

Sister's daughter

Niece

 

Husband's brother's son

Nephew

Noa[1]

Husband

Husband

 

Husband's elder brother

Brother-in-law

 

Husband's father's elder brother's son

------

Tjamung

Husband's younger brother

Brother-in-law

 

Husband's father's younger brother's son

------

Kabung

Daughter's daughter

Granddaughter

Walnagung

Husband's father

Father-in-law

 

Husband's father's brother

------

Kanguri

Husband's mother

Mother-in-law

 

Husband's mother's sister

------

Mamam

Husband's mother's mother

------

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--MUNGARAI TRIBE.

(MAN SPEAKING.)

Ngaburda

Father

Father

 

Father's elder brother

Uncle

 

Mother's elder sister's husband

Uncle

Ngabirandu

Father's younger brother

Uncle

 

Mother's younger sister's husband

Uncle

Ngulangnunyi[2]

Mother

Mother

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

 

Father's father's mother

Great grandmother

 

Son's wife

Daughter-in-law

Ngulamimi

Brother's son's wife

------

 

Mother's elder sister

Aunt

 

Mother's mother's mother

Great grandmother

Ngulabubba

Mother's younger sister

Aunt

Ngalangnanyi

Father's father

Grandfather

 

Father's father's brother

Great uncle

Ngulakatukugandu (or {see next page...}

Father's father's wife

Great grandmother

 

Son's son's wife

------

 

[1. If a man dies his wife passes to a noa, but not to a tjamung.

2. This term is applied indiscriminately to the mother and all her sisters, blood and tribal.]

{p. 76}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

{cont. from previous page} ...Ngulakungambula)[1]

Brother's son's son's wife

------

 

Wife

Wife

 

Brother's wife

Sister-in-law

Birandu (or Abiringnvia)

Son

Son

 

Brother's son

Nephew

Ngulabirandu

Daughter

Daughter

 

Brother's daughter

Niece

Ngulababba

Sister

Sister

 

Father's brother's daughter

Cousin

 

Mother's sister's daughter

Cousin

Murrimurri

Father's father's father

Great grandfather

Abiringniranu

Father's father's father's sister

------

Ngaiana

Elder brother

Brother

 

Father's elder brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's elder sister's son

Cousin

Ngaiabba

Younger brother

Brother

 

Father's younger brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's younger sister's son

Cousin

Ngulagurguk

Mother's mother

Grandmother

Ngagung

Mother's brother

Uncle

Naminjerri

Mother's brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's brother's daughter

Cousin

Murriwanula

Son's son

Grandson

 

Brother's son's son

------

Ngaidjeya (or Nullamimi)

Wife's father Father-in-law

------

 

Sister's husband

Brother-in-law

 

Daughter's husband

Son-in-law

Ngulaidjeya

Sister's daughter

Niece

Nadjammainua

Son's son's son

Great grandson

Ngulaambuluka

Daughter's daughter

Granddaughter

Ngulamairandu

Daughter's daughter's daughter

Great granddaughter

Ngulakundji

Wife's mother

Mother-in-law

Ngakundji

Wife's mother's brother

------

Ngulamarik

Wife's mother's brother's daughter

------

Jap-jap

Wife's father's father

------

Ngulakukkuk

Wife's father's father's wife

------

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--MUNGARAI TRIBE

(WOMAN SPEAKING.)

Ngaburda

Father

Father

 

Father's brother

Uncle

 

Mother's sister's husband

Uncle

Ngulangnunyi

Mother

Mother

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

 

[1. The usual term applied by a man to his wife is Ngulakatukukugandu. If he has more than one wife he calls the older one Ngulakatukugandu ngaballa and the younger one Ngulakatukugandu naditja.]

{p. 77}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Ngaiana

Elder brother

Brother

 

Father's elder brother's son

Nephew

 

Mother's elder sister's son

Nephew

Ngaiabba

Younger brother

Brother

 

Father's younger brother's son

Nephew

 

Mother's younger sister's son

Nephew

Ngulagurguk

Mother's mother

Grandmother

Ngulamimi

Mother's mother's mother

Great grandmother

Ngulababba

Sister

Sister

 

Mother's sister's daughter

Cousin

Birandu (or Ngabirandu)

Brother's son

Nephew

 

Husband's sister's son

Nephew

Ngulabirandu

Brother's daughter

Niece

 

Husband's sister's daughter

Niece

Ngulajeya

Sister's daughter

Niece

Kallunbun

Husband

Husband

 

Husband's brother

Brother-in-law

 

Sister's husband

Brother-in-law

 

Husband's father's brother's son

------

Ngaijeya

Son

Son

 

Husband's brother's son

Nephew

 

Sister's son

Nephew

 

Husband's father

Father-in-law

 

Husband's father's brother

------

Ngulajeya

Daughter

Daughter

 

Sister's daughter

Niece

Ngulagundji

Husband's mother

Mother-in-law

 

Husband's mother's sister

------

 

Husband's father's brother's wife

------

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--NULLAKUN TRIBE

(MAN SPEAKING.)

Morquoll

Father

Father

 

Father's brother

Uncle

 

Mother's sister's husband

Uncle

Maina

Mother

Mother

 

Father's brother's wife

Aunt

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

 

Father's father's mother

Great grandmother

 

Son's wife

Daughter-in-law

Durdu

Brother's son's wife

------

 

Father's father

Grandfather

Tjugopuiri

Father's father's brother

Great-uncle

 

Father's father's wife

Great-grandmother

 

Father's father's brother's wife

Great-aunt

 

Wife

Wife

 

Brother's wife

Sister-in-law

 

Son's son's wife

------

 

Brother's son's son's wife

------

 

{p.78}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Iraningi

Father's father's father

Great-grandfather

Tjukangini

Daughter

Daughter

 

Father's father's father's sister

------

Boipu

Elder brother

Brother

 

Father's elder brother's son

Nephew

 

Mother's elder sister's son

Nephew

Gwalin

Younger brother

Brother

 

Father's younger brother's son

Nephew

 

Mother's younger sister's son

Nephew

Tjukorkor

Mother's mother

Grandmother

Tjuappa

Sister

Sister

 

Father's brother's daughter

Niece

 

Mother's sister's daughter

Niece

Nukaitka

Mother's brother

Uncle

Djaming

Mother's mother's mother

Great-grandmother

Tjukinda

Mother's brother's daughter

Cousin

Nulkinda

Mother's brother's son

Cousin

Tjokangini

Wife's father

Father-in-law

 

Sister's husband's father

------

 

Sister's son

Nephew

 

Sister's daughter

Niece

 

Daughter's husband

Son-in-law

 

Wife's father's brother

------

Nokangini

Son

Son

 

Brother's son

Nephew

Murdungini

Son's son

Grandson

Thangimini

Son's son's son

Great-grandson

Tjumurungini

Daughter's daughter

Granddaughter

Bading

Daughter's daughter's daughter

Great-granddaughter

Balaknini

Wife's mother

------

 

Brother's wife's mother

------

Nuanaiya

Wife's mother's brother's son

------

Nojamin

Wife's father's father

------

Niyappi

Wife's father's father's father

------

Morquoll

Father

Father

 

Father's brother Uncle

------

 

Mother's sister's husband

Uncle

Boipu

Father's father

Grandfather

Maina

Mother

Mother

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

Nokaka

Brother

Brother

 

Father's brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's sister's son

Cousin

Tjuappa

Sister

Sister

 

Father's brother's daughter

Cousin

 

Mother's sister's daughter

Cousin

Nokangini

Son

Son

 

Sister's son

Cousin

 

Husband's father

Father-in-law

 

Husband's father's brother

------

 

Husband's brother's son

Nephew

Tjugokangini

Daughter

Daughter

 

{p. 79}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Tjugokangini

Sister's daughter

Niece

Nokopungini

Husband

Husband

 

Husband's brother

Brother-in-law

 

Husband's father's brother's son

 

Tjupalukmudji

Husband's mother

Mother-in-law

 

Husband's mother's sister

 

Kaupungini

Husband's sister

Sister-in-law

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--KAKADU TRIBE.

(MAN SPEAKING.)

Papa

Father

Father

 

Father's brother

Uncle

Kaga

Father's father

Grandfather

 

Father's father's brother

Great uncle

Pulupurlumba

Father's father's father

Great grandfather

 

Son's son's son

Great grandson

 

Mother's mother's mother

Great grandmother

 

Mother's mother's mother's sisters

------

 

Daughter's daughter's daughter

Great granddaughter

 

Brother's daughter's daughter

------

Baranga

Elder brother

Brother

 

Father's elder brother's son

Cousin

Nullaberri

Younger brother

Brother

 

Father's younger brother's son

Cousin

Ngoornberri

Son

Son

 

Brother's son

Nephew

Naburnobunong

Son's son

Grandson

 

Brother's son's son

------

Koiyu

Mother

Mother

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

Kaka

Mother's mother

Grandmother

Peipi

Mother's mother's sisters

Great aunts

 

Mother's father

Grandfather

Makorngo

Elder sister

Sister

 

Father's elder brother's daughter

Cousin

Illaberri

Younger sister

Sister

 

Father's younger brother's daughter

Cousin

Mapa (or Maba)

Elder or younger sister's daughter

Niece

 

Elder or younger sister's son

Nephew

 

Wife's brother's daughter

------

 

Wife's brother's son

------

Ngungornberri

Daughter

Daughter

Mapeinga

Brother's daughter

Niece

 

Daughter's daughter

Granddaughter

 

Brother's daughter's daughter

------

Ngunkomukali

Wife

Wife

 

Wife's younger sister

Sister-in-law

 

{p. 80}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Keerli

Wife's father

Father-in-law

 

Wife's father's brother

------

 

Wife's father's sister

------

Yinbaiinmunga

Wife's father's father

------

Padierli

Wife's father's father's father

------

Admairinginji

Wife's elder sister

Sister-in-law

Jaidja

Mother's brother, elder and younger

Uncle

Kopeinga

Mother's elder and younger brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's elder and younger brother's daughter

Cousin

Komapa

Wife's mother

Mother-in-law

Parieli

Daughter's husband

Son-in-law

Muraguji

Wife's brother

Brother-in-law

Ngeila, or Ngaila

Father's sister

Aunt

 

Mother's brother's wife

Aunt

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--KAKADU TRIBE

(WOMAN SPEAKING.)

Papa

Father

Father

 

Father's brother, elder and younger

Uncle

Kaka

Father's father

Grandfather

 

Mother's mother

Grandmother

Meimaiimba

Father's father's father

Great grandfather

 

Son's son's son

Great grandson

Baranga

Elder brother

Brother

 

Father's elder brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's elder sister's son

Cousin

Nullaberri

Younger brother

Brother

 

Father's younger brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's younger sister's son

Cousin

Mapa

Daughter

Daughter

 

Sister's son

Nephew

 

Son

Son

 

Sister's daughter

Niece

 

Husband's brother's son

Nephew

 

Husband's brother's daughter

Niece

Manga

Son's son

Grandson

 

Son's daughter

Granddaughter

 

Father's mother

Grandmother

 

Father's mother's sister

Great aunt

 

Father's mother's brother

Great uncle

Pulupurlumba

Mother's mother's mother

Great granddaughter

 

Daughter's daughter's daughter

Great granddaughter

Koiyu

Mother

Mother

 

Mother's sister, elder and younger

Aunt

Kumambilna

Daughter's daughter

Granddaughter

 

{p. 81}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Makorngo

Elder sister

Sister

 

Father's elder brother's daughter

Cousin

 

Mother's elder sister's daughter

Cousin

Illaberri

Younger sister

Sister

 

Father's younger brother's daughter

Cousin

 

Mother's younger sister's daughter

Cousin

Ngeila

Father's sister

Aunt

Kopeinga

Father's sister's son

Cousin

 

Father's sister's daughter

Cousin

 

Mother's brother's son

Cousin

 

Mother's brother's daughter

Cousin

Jadja

Mother's brother, elder and younger

Uncle

Ngomberri

Brother's son

Nephew

Yingomberri

Brother's daughter

Niece

Ngomukali

Husband

Husband

 

Husband's brother

Brother-in-law

Kobiorkera

Husband's father

Father-in-law

 

Husband's father's brother

------

 

Husband's mother

Mother-in-law

 

Husband's mother's brother

------

 

Husband's mother's sister

------

Oorobiorkero

Son's wife

Daughter-in-law

Proomapa

Daughter's husband

Son-in-law

Yingbaiingmunga

Husband's father's father

------

Yingpingmunga

Husband's father's father's wife

------

 

TABLE OF RELATIONSHIP TERMS.--WADUMAN TRIBE.

(MAN SPEAKING.)

Kadugo

Father

Father

 

Father's brother, elder and younger

Uncle

Baba

Father's father

Grandfather

Kagogo

Father's father's brother

Great uncle

 

Father's father's father

Great grandfather

 

Mother's mother

Grandmother

 

Wife's mother's brother's daughter

------

 

Wife's mother's brother's son

------

Igeiyu

Son's son's wife

------

 

Son

Son

 

Brother's son

Nephew

 

Daughter

Daughter

Kaleja

Brother's daughter

Niece

 

Brother, elder and younger

Brother

Igariu

Father's brother's son

Cousin

Ingarinun

Son's son

Grandson

 

Son's son's son

Great Grandson

 

{p. 82}

 

Native Term

Actual Relationship in English Terms

English Terms included wholly or partly in the Native Term.

Kadeding

Mother

Mother

 

Mother's sister

Aunt

Kaniomo

Mother's brother, elder and younger

Uncle

 

Daughter's husband

Son-in-law

Kagung

Father's brother's daughter

Cousin

Nabubu

Father's father's mother

Great grandmother

Pukali

Father's brother's son

Cousin

 

Father's brother's daughter

Cousin

Inamman

Sister, elder and younger

Sister

 

Brother's son's daughter

------

 

Mother's sister's daughter

Niece

 

Wife's father's father

------

 

Wife's father's son

------

 

Wife's father's brother's son

------

Ingauia

Wife

Wife

 

Elder or younger brother's wife

Sister-in-law

 

Brother's son's son's wife

------

Ingaua

Wife's father

Father-in-law

 

Wife's father's brother

------

Gnauula

Son's wife

Daughter-in-law

 

Brother's son's wife

------

Dado

Sister's husband

Brother-in-law

 

Wife's brother Brother-in-law

------

Tjuga

Sister's son

Nephew

 

Sister's husband's father

------

 

Sister's daughter

Niece

Indukal

Wife's mother

Mother-in-law

 

Wife's mother's sister

------

 

Sister's son's wife

------

Ijamin

Wife's mother's mother

------

 

Wife's mother's mother's brother

------

 

Sister's son's son

------

 

Sister's son's daughter

------

 

Sister's daughter's son

------

 

Sister's daughter's daughter

------

 

Daughter's son

Grandson

 

Daughter's daughter's son

Great grandson

Uuni

Son's son's son

Great grandson

Imbunni

Son's son's daughter

Great granddaughter

Igaringun

Daughter's daughter

Granddaughter

Nababin

Daughter's daughter's daughter

Great granddaughter

Inallari

Daughter's daughter's husband

------

Ilumba

Wife's mother's brother

------

 

{p. 83}

STATUS TERMS.

In every tribe there are certain status terms which are applied to different individuals at different times of their lives. They are as follows

(1) Kakadu tribe.

 

Male.

Female.

1. Baby: Bialilla.

Baby: Bialilla.

2. Young boy: Mulakirri.

Young girl: Yingulakirri.[1]

3. Boy, before initiation: Ningeri.

Girl, before marriage: Kupari medjauer.

4. Young man, after initiation: Numulakirri.

Young married girl: Jereiwin.

5. Middle-aged man: Ulanja.

Middle-aged woman: No special name. She is spoken of as jirongadda Murora, that is close up to, or getting on to, Murora.

6. Old man: Murabulba.

Old woman: Murora.

 

There is also a special term, Lekerungen, applied to old men who have seen the Muraian Ceremony. This is evidently the equivalent of the term Uliara, which is applied, in the Arunta tribe, to those who have passed through the Engwura, the final initiation ceremony which admits the relatively younger men to the ranks of the old Men.

[1. This same term is applied to the menstrual flow, but the natives said that it is applied also to girls.]

{p. 84}

(2) Melville Island tribe.

 

Male.

Female.

1. Baby: Kurrijinni, or (Uru)kurrijinni.

Baby: Kurrijinni.

2. Young boy: Mallakuninga.

Young girl: Allinga

3. Young boy during his first initiation ceremony: Marrukumana

Young girl during first time of passing through initiation ceremony: Mikijeruma

4. Youth during and after initiation, while passing through for the second time: Watjinyerti.

Girl during second time of passing through initiation ceremony: Mikingyertinga.

5. Young man while passing through the ceremony for the third time: Mikinyerti.

Young married woman: Murrakuburra.

6. Man with children: Mikangula.

Woman with children Awirriawi.

7. Old man: Irula.

Old woman: Perrimaringa or Purrumarina.

8. Very old man Gurimurdi.

Very old woman Perrimaringa intula, or Purrumarina intula.

 

Some of these terms are very much in evidence during the initiation ceremonies, in fact it was only by witnessing these that I discovered the status terms for girls, equivalent to those for boys. The terms Marrukumana and Mikinyerti for boys and those of Mikijeruma and Mikingyertinga for girls, seem to be used only during the actual performance of the ceremony in connection with which they are applied.

{p. 85}

(3) Waduman tribe.

 

Male

Female

1. Baby: Pudadu

Baby: Kadjiri.

2. Young boy: Wallung.

Young girl: Marinian.

3. Boy after circumcision Yabba.

Girl at puberty: Wadil.

4. Youth after subincision Malu

5. Man with children: Ibuan

Woman with children: Malibi.

6. Old man: Maluka.

Old woman: Muluru

 

(4) Mudburra tribe.

 

Male.

Female.

1. Baby: Wunyukoro

Baby: Kadjiri

2. Young boy Didja, or Karu

Young girl: Malluguni

3. Boy after circumcision: Wanauru

Girl at puberty: Wadil

4. Youth after subincision: Gnaga

5. Man with children: Logo

Woman with children: Malibi

6. Old man: Maluka

Old woman: Muluru

 

(5) Port Essington tribe.

 

Male.

Female.

1. Baby: Aritjumarin

Baby: Warraungi

2. Boy, Gnauunduitj

Girl: Bridbilyaju

3. Initiated youth: Naialpur

Married woman: Amadi

4. Young man married: Wokung-jarri

Older woman: Alkia

5. Older man with children Wokung-jarri

Old woman: Balquarakkan

6. Old man: Balquarakkan

Very old woman: Uluuk-ulu

 

{p. 86}

(6) Larakia tribe.

 

Male.

Female.

1. Baby and boy: Nim

Baby and young girl: Bendla

2. Initiated youth: Belier

Girl: Manego

3. Man with children: Mullinyu

Woman with children: Minumbunni

4. Old man: Lariba

Old woman: Kunura

 

(7) Worgait tribe.

 

Male.

Female.

1. Little boy: Bambeit

Young girl: Midulung

2. Older boy: Yerda

Older girl: Bidjuokeit

3. Initiated youth and young man: Kundein

------

4. Man with children: Barquett

Woman with children: Bonbeitkalung

5. Old man: Namyuk

Old woman: Ngabarale

 

(8) Djauan tribe.

 

Male.

Female.

1. Little boy: Djoei

Young girl: Warri

2. Older boy: Kommduit

Older girl: Almeri

3. Initiated youth: Lagaian

------

4. Young man married: Mungui

Married woman: Almuga

5. Man with children: Mungui

Woman with children: Almuga

6. Old man: Bambula

Old woman: Aljerbo

 

{p. 87}

(9) Nullakun tribe.

 

Male.

Female.

1. Little boy: Ngurda

Young girl: Mirparra

2. Older boy: Ngurda

Older girl: Gurdi

3. Initiated youth: Bandari

------

4. Young married man: Gewa

Married woman: Tjandalei

5. Man with children: Gewa

------

6. Old man: Noboila

Old woman: Tjuboila

 

(10) Mungarai tribe.

 

Male

Female.

1. Little boy: Wangi

Young girl: Ngalaurangi

2. Older boy: Balauminua

Older girl: Ngalamarik

3. Initiated youth: Wandella

------

4. Young man married: Nadiriga

Married woman: Ngalanalima

5. Man with children: Nadiriga

Woman with children: Ngalauiran

6. Old man: Ngabukbuk

Old woman: Ngabukbuk

 

ntna01

{p. 88}


Next: Chapter III: Initiation Ceremonies