Howitt to Fison 29 October 1878

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Transcription - Page 3

evidently a remarkable
survival of a [custom - crossed out] former
community of wives in the division
or class. I have an instance
when a woman was caught in
battle by a number of the young
men of a division of a clan near
adjoining the division of the clan to which
she belonged. They could not keep her
and her Father's Brother (father dead - father's
brother = Brebba munjan = other father)
gave her to the brother of the man
to revenge whom the battle had
been fought and who could according
to custom obtain a wife from her
division.

When the white men first came
here the Kurni thought they
could kill enemies by flashing
lightning out of their eyes.

I have compiled and am

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Document Details

Date 29 October 1878
Letter From Howitt, Alfred William
Letter To Fison, Reverend Lorimer
Author
Country Australia
Colony/State
Holding Institution St Mark's National Theological Centre
Collection Name Alan Tippett/Lorimer Fison Collection
Registration Number tip70-10-33-22
Medium Letter
Region Gippsland
Locality Sale
Summary Discussion of certain beliefs and practices of the Kurnai relating to marriage and mortuary. In addition mention of possible working title for their joint publication.
Physical Description Handwritten in ink, signed and dated.