Notes on Kurnai 150 pages

Page 54 of 150

Transcription - Page 54

Painting Fights dances
In attending a "set-fight" (nŭnge-nŭnger) eg that of [Lamby] the
aggrieved are painted with murtu all over then red
faces and bodies white the aggressors are painted
with naial: Also when a party went out to
revenge a death by killing some one the members were
painted with murtu. See the fight at [??]
For corroborees both red and white paint is used
in marks on the face + body arbitrarily put on
at the fancy of the wearer.

Jeraeil
At the Jeraeil the youths were painted with
Naial on the face.
The Mullamullung wore a white stripe acorss
the face.

Bullawreng
The Bullawreng was painted round each
eye with murtu in resemblance to the Black Duck
It was after the Black Duck that the Bullawreng
was named having reference to its two eyes.
Bulla - (mree) - wreng
Two eyes duck

The Black Duck and the Robin were
both "Policemen" to look after the boys. Both
of them were Bullawreng - but this name
was not spoken before boys or [women - crossed out] girls

Page 54 of 150

Document Details

Date —

Letter From —

Letter To —

Author Howitt, Alfred William

Country Australia

Colony/State Victoria

Holding Institution State Library of Victoria

Collection Name Alfred W. Howitt Collection

Registration Number MS9356/404

Medium Notes

Region —

Locality —

Summary MS 9356 [Series] Correspondence and notes concerning aboriginal tribes - Aboriginal tribes of Victoria. [Sub Series] Kurnai [Item Title] Notes by A. W. Howitt titled 'Kurnai. Various names of plants, language etc.'. [Summary note] Incorporates information from correspondents including Mr. McAlpine, J. C. McLeod and tribal informants. 145 pages. Box 1053 [Folder] 3(b) & 4(a) [State Library Victoria record 2018]

Physical Description Correspondence and notes.