Letter from John Bulmer 15 April 1880
Transcription - Page 3
sometimes it was pipe clay or
some ornament used at
corroboree in fact anything
appropriate for the reason.
Just the same as a message
for war some warlike
symbol would be sent.
When a message was sent
of a death the messenger
carried his spear on his
arm and with head
hanging down went along
all who saw him knew
he carried tidings of death
but even then no marked
stick was sent.
I do not think among the
Kurnai that sticks were
used much at all as
the present generation of them
seem to know nothing about
Document Details
Date
15 Apr 1880
Letter From
Bulmer, Reverend John
Letter To
Howitt, Alfred William
Author
—
Country
Australia
Colony/State
—
Holding Institution
Museums Victoria
Collection Name
Alfred W. Howitt Collection
Registration Number
XM 81
Medium
Letter
Region
Gippsland
Locality
Lake Tyers
Summary
"Although this letter from Rev. J. Bulmer appears incomplete with the first page missing, A.W. Howitt has annotated the top of first page with ""Bulmer re messages April 15th 1880"". Discussion regarding communication - invitations and challenges - between groups in the Murray-Darling and in the Gippsland region. Includes notes on the issuing of a challenge to the Boul Boul men to fight; carrying a spear and Maruwan; sending a spear and shield to another group as 'an act of defiance'; and a reference to a stick sent to the Yelta group. In addition discusses how many Aborigines living near the Lake Tyers Mission went away to pick hops."
Physical Description
Letter, possibly incomplete, handwritten in ink. Signed and with an associated date in A W Howitt's handwriting top of first page. One sheet, three pages. Good condition.