Letter from Bulmer 20 April 1880
Transcription - Page 4
was usually required as when
a young man on the Lower Murray
named Nanithero married
Malukra, the old people
gave their consent. Though
sometimes marriages were
arranged among the young
men without the parents
knowledge. They would then
all meet together and
take the girl from her
parents and allow the old
people to seek redress
afterwards. This was when
an exchange was contemplated.
Marriages were often brought
about by elopement though
this caused fighting.
A couple were sometimes
betrothed when young as in
the case of Nauithero
Document Details
Date
20 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 82
Medium
Letter
Region
Gippsland
Locality
Lake Tyers
Summary
"The letter discusses the region around the junction of the Darling and Murray Rivers. Content also relates to the Gippsland District. Discusses social organisation and marriage laws and customs. Reply to A.W. Howitt's questionnaire and questions relating to language. Also mentions ""Wallace's Australasia"" when speaking of languages."
Physical Description
Letter, handwritten in ink. Signed and dated. Three folded sheets, eleven pages. Vertical, red-pencil line through text on three pages. Condition: fair; small tears along central folds; slightly tattered upper edges.