They had kept up the singing during the whole of the night, and all were quite hoarse and seemed worn out. At a fire about fifty yards distant were about half a dozen other blacks, and with them the subject to be operated on. He was held and kept in a standing position away from the fire by a blackfellow, and he was evidently tired and cold. He was not allowed to speak, and he had a most melancholy expression of countenance. My correspondent was informed that the operation had to be performed at the very moment the sun rises.
So soon as the sun appeared, the boy was seized and carried by two men to the fire, where the larger body of men were assembled. He was then blind-folded and laid on the grass. Two men held him. About twelve men took part in the operation, each being provided with a small piece of sharp-edged quartzite. It was soon over. The boy never murmured or even flinched. Proper attentions were shown to him. Immediately after the operation several of the blacks cried.[1]
Mr. Gason mentions five stages of life at each of which the council of old men mutilate the youths. The first is Moodlawillpa—boring the septum of the nose—an operation which is performed when the boys and girls are from five to ten years of age; the second is Chirrinchirrie—the extraction of the teeth—which is done when the children are between the ages of eight and twelve years; the third is Kurrawellie Wonkanna (circumcision), which is performed when the hair makes its appearance on the face; the fourth is Willyaroo (to procure a good harvest, supply of snakes and other reptiles), when the young man is scarred. He is cut on the neck and shoulders with a sharp-edged stone, so that ridges may be formed. And finally, Koolpie. As soon as the hair on the face is sufficiently grown to admit of the ends of the beard being tied, the ceremony of the Koolpie is solemnized. This is a very dreadful operation, and it is not at all clear that the youths willingly submit to the torture. It is the punishment probably referred to by Mr. Jessop, "as the most heavy and effective within the province of their divorce courts."[2] It is not reasonable to suppose that it is inflicted on all the youths. Probably some are chosen and some are left; or it may be that its effects are not so serious as Mr. Jessop supposes. There is another ceremony—Mindarie—when the hair of the young men's heads is dressed. It takes place after the ordeal of Willyaroo. All the tribes assemble; dances are held; disputes are settled; and there is general rejoicing.
- ↑ "The rite in South Australia (according to Mr. Teichelmann) is thus performed:—At the age of puberty the boys selected are beaten with green boughs, sprinkled with blood drawn from the arm of a warrior, aud are then taken to a place specially appointed. The lad is laid upon the ground by the doctor, and entirely covered with dust; after a few minutes (when almost stifled) he is raised up by the ears—with loud shouts, which are made to restore him from his supposed state of enchantment. A liue is then drawn upon the earth; ou one side of which stands au old man who represents the Star of Autumn, aud on the other side one who is said to represent a fly. The Katta, a woman's stick, is then borne round and thrust into the grouud by the bearer, who lies dowu himself and all the meu fall upon him—thus forming a rude altar. Upon this living altar the initiated is laid and the rite performed. He then receives the name which he inherits from his father and mother, and has also a secret name giveu him, and is introduced to the rude mysteries, which are carefully hidden from the womeu aud children—none of whom are suffered to be present at the ceremony."—Remarks on the probable Origin and Antiquity of the Aboriginal Natives of New South Wales, by a Colonial Magistrate, p. 16.
- ↑ Flinders Land and Sturt Land, by W. R. H. Jessop, M.A., vol. II., p. 206.
