The Native Tribes of South-East AustraliaA. W. Howitt's classic two-volume study, first published in 1904, investigates the organisation, practices and customs of the indigenous peoples he encountered during his forty years exploring Australia. He describes how he made 'close and friendly contact' with tribes who were, in his words, in a condition of 'complete savagery'. Howitt achieved considerable status among the Aborigines, and was even permitted to witness some of their sacred ceremonies. Focusing particularly on the social organisation of the tribes, their kinship systems and marriage rules, his book is a captivating account of a now-vanished civilisation. |
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able appear arms Australia become belief belonging body boys brother brought called camp carried cause ceremonies child clan coast covered customs dance dead death descent described Dieri direction distance division elder extended father female fight fire former four friends girl give given ground hand head Headman held husband initiation instance Kamilaroi kangaroo killed Kurnai Lake language latter legend lived look magic male manner marked marriage married means medicine-man meeting mentioned messenger miles mother native obtained opossum organisation party person piece practice present relation remain represent River rule seems seen sent side sister song South speaking spear stick sub-class taken term told totem tree tribal tribe wife woman women young