Chapter V Tribal Governments

Transcription - Page 18

17

So far I have been able to ascertain the
Kulin did not refuse to obey such an interefence [direction of the -crossed out] by the
Ngurungaeta. [crossed out - Within] According to my knowledge of other tribes I
cannot imagine that [crossed out - orders] where a Headman interfered there would be a continuance of such a set
fight [crossed out - could] without involving a rupture between
the kindred and backers of the two opponents.
This would be in fact a breach followed by a battle
between the two totems, or two local groups and
even the two tribes as the case might be. I do
not remember hearing of such a case, but my valiant
informants with whom I have spoken on the subject
all agreed that if such an interference [crossed out - we] by a Head man
were not regarded [crossed out - the] both sides would be involved
in [crossed out - this] a fight.

[Line to left margin note]
I sent
in see
retaliate for
Nungi nungit
(at p32)

there was a head man in each local group,
and some one of them was recognised as the Head
of all. Some of their men were warriors, some orators
others great medicine men, and one of the greatest when Victoria was first settled was a
renowned master of song (see p. ).

If a Headman had a son who was respected
by the tribes people, he also would become a Ngurungaeta [crossed out - Headman].
[crossed out - also] in time. If however he were [crossed out - a bad man] from
the natives point of view, a bad man or if people did not like him,
they would have some one else, and most likely some
relative of the former Ngurungaeta, such as his brother,
or his brother's son. [crossed out - first it must be remembered that in]
[crossed out - these Kulin tribes there was descent through the father]
[crossed out - of t] A Headman could order the young men
of his camp to do things for him, and they would obey.
[crossed out - the young men that have obeyed either].

Similarly [crossed out - then] his wife could
order the young women about. The Headman had [crossed out - as they]
[crossed out - say] another man as they express it "standing beside him", to whom he
"gave his word". [words crossed out] This way there was a second man of somewhat
less authority who is the comrade, I might say the executive
officer, of the Head man, who accompanied him when he
went anywhere, who was his mouth piece and delivered his orders to those whom [he - crossed out] it
concerned. When the Head man went out to hunt with
his henchman or perhaps with two of them, if he killed game, say
a wallaby, he would give it to one of them to carry,
if he killed another, it would be given to the [second man,
and it was only when they obtained a heavy load that he
carried anything himself. While I speak of these head men in connection
with this tribal [??] (p ) I shall [??]
the Headman.

[written in left margin]
As I have heard it crossed out - said]
the Headman [crossed out - would by] might say
" Now all your young men go
off and get plenty of possums
and give them to the old
people - not raw but cooked."