Notes on Kurnai Creation stories

Transcription - Page 9

Baukan

In the old times when the Muk Kurnai lived
in this country there was a woman called
Baukan. Some other women were fishing and
Baukan was near to them. They did not like
her because she came down from the nurt (sky)
[al and - crossed out] Therefore to get rid of her they threw mud
in her face saying "go and get some fish for
yourself." Then they being busy fishing away from
their camp Baukan took all their fire and
carried it away. When they returned and found
what had been done they sent the little red breast *
who followed Baukan as she was climbing up to the
sky and striking at the firesticks as she carried
them knocked off pieces of the fire so that they fell
all over the country and the Kurnai [again - crossed out]
obtained their fire again.
[This was at Walmajeri - crossed out]

This was at Walmajeri (1) where [Baukuan was - crossed out] Brewin took
[finally taken up to the sky by Brewin with a rope - crossed out] Baukan to Yiruk for which mountain he ascended to
the sky with her by a
cord made of the sinews of the ginnara (Red wallaby)
He first tried Kangaroo sinews which he threw up to
the sky + then pulled at them + they broke.
Then he tried a Red Wallaby's sinews which held
fast. He and Baukan climbed up to the Nurt + were never
seen again

(1) Walma = [rib bone - crossed out] ribs -jera = Kangaroo

[written in left side margin]
*Look up the
native name

near
Lake Reeves. ]