Chapter V Tribal Governments

Transcription - Page 16

[crossed out - 8] 16

The Woëwurung tribe had descent counted through
the father (see chap - p -) and as the [crossed out - totem had]
class names had become localised, these were in
its true totem-classes; that is local divisions of the
tribes some which were [crossed out - some rather whose] all [crossed out - of the one totem (class) and therefore]
[crossed out - of the] Bunjil and the others all Waang,
[crossed out - all of the other totems (class)] (see p.)-

The old men governed the tribe and among them there were certain men called Ngŭrŭngaeta,
that is "..."
If a man was sensible and "spoke straight" and did ill to no one, people would
listen to him, and obey him. [crossed out - this was how] Such a man might become a
Ngurungaeta, [crossed out - but he would] and this would almost certainly [necessarily be someone- crossed out] be the case if his father -
had been so before him. It was the Ngurungata who called the people together
for the great tribal meetings, sent out messengers, and according to his amount of
authority gave orders to the tribes men.

Who was always of mature age and
possessing some eminent qualities for which he would be
respected. He sent out messengers to call together the Kulin
for ceremonies [crossed out - or for], for corroborees, or for [crossed out - ceremonial and also fighting] fighting, and
he also sent out [crossed out - the] parties to revenge the death of anyone
killed by the evil magic of medicine men of neighbouring tribes.

At the set fights [ceremonial combat- crossed out] (see p - ) in expiation of some
wrong done, it was the Ngurungaeta who had the
power of putting an end to it if the thought that
enough had been done. [crossed out - Buckley the] In Morgan (1)
accounts of the life of Buckley [crossed out - the wild white man], there
is a passage which bears upon this where he says, " I had seen a race of
children grow up into [crossed out - men] women and men, and many of the old
people die away, and by my harmless and peaceable manner amongst
them, had acquired great influence in settling their disputes.
Numbers of murderous fights I had prevented by my interference
which was received by them as well meant, so much so

(1) The life and adventures of William Buckley by James Morgan
Hobart Tasmania 1852 - p.
(2) Op. cit.- p 101.

[Left margin notes]
1
that they would often allow
me to go among them
previous to a battle, and
take away their spears
and waddies & boomerangs"

(2)
Buckley by reason of age
and consideration had
grown into this position
of a Ngurungaeta or
Head Man