Notes on Kurnai Creation stories

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Transcription - Page 6

Narran the moon

Narran, the moon when out hunting one day
caught an Emu, which however was so strong that it
pulled him along while he was plucking out all its
feathers as he ran. Brewin who saw this said
to him "What are you doing that for?" and took the
emu from him and carried off. Narran going
back to his camp had to cross a creek on a big log.
Brewin then told the log to roll over and
throw Narran into the water, but he got out and
still wanted to get back his emu. Brewin then
ascended up to the sky taking the emu with him
and Narran never saw it again -
When Narran goes down over the edge of
the world turns round and walks back round
the edge and comes over the other side in the morning.
It was Brewin who put him up in the sky.
The star shown as Narran is αCentauri.

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Document Details

Date —
Letter From —
Letter To —
Author Howitt, Alfred William
Country Australia
Colony/State Victoria
Holding Institution Museums Victoria
Collection Name Alfred W. Howitt Collection
Registration Number XM 526
Medium Notes
Region —
Locality —
Summary Notes documenting a series of Creation stories and legends relating mainly to the Kurnai. Eight in total and includes two sketches amongst the stories; one of a necklace and one of a fish hook. The creation stories include; Toto-wara-wara - great man who took care of Kurnai; Bundawal-wia-wuk and his country; Borun the Pelican and his canoe; the origin of springs or water sources - Bula-Kukun; Narran the moon; Brewin and Tarra-munda whom he swallowed; and how the Kurnai men were turned into the Barn rocks.
Physical Description Notes, handwritten, ink, undated. Eleven sheets, small and lined, eleven pages. Paper is brittle and slightly yellowing with some edge tearing.