The Family among the Australian Aborigines, a Sociological StudyMalinowski, Bronislaw
History
The Family among the Australian Aborigines, a Sociological Study
Malinowski, Bronislaw
Aboriginal Australians -- Social life and customs; Ethnology -- Australia; Families -- History
A vague but suggestive piece of information as regards our point
is given on the Turra tribe, by the Rev. J. Kühn: Two or three
months after initiation the lad is allowed to marry. But some of
the married men undergo a further operation and become "Willeru";
"after this they are not permitted to go to their wives for two
years."[799] Do they live in a separate camp during these two
years? It is probable, but the statement is not clear enough to be
useful for us.
[799] _Kam. and Kurn._, p. 286.
We read about the Port Lincoln tribes: "If there be any young
unmarried men, they sleep apart in a hut of their own."[800] This
statement throws some light on the preceding one: there we had no
mention of any separate camp. But as both these tribes lived quite
close and must have had similar institutions, we may safely assume
that the seclusion from wives which is reported in the foregoing
passage was combined with an independent mode of living, _i. e._
with a bachelors' camp.
[800] Schürmann, _loc. cit._, p. 222.
Teichelmann and Schürmann report that there was a separate hut in
which women dwelt during their period.[801]
[801] In Waitz Gerland, p. 778. That refers probably to
South Australian aborigines in general.
We read in the description of the United States expedition to New
South Wales that the youths have to avoid women from initiation
till marriage and that they have their separate encampment.[802]
[802] Chas. Wilkes, smaller ed., i. p. 225; larger ed., ii.
p. 205.
In the Euahlayi tribe boys go after their seventh year to the
Weedeghal, bachelors' camp.[803]
[803] Mrs. Parker, _loc. cit._, p. 61.
Among the Central tribes (Krichauff Ranges) there is a separate
men's camp and a camp for women, where these latter are confined
during certain periods of their life.[804]
[804] Krichauff, _loc. cit._, p. 78.
We read that among the natives of Finke River (Central Australia)
"separate places are assigned for the unmarried men and for the
single females respectively."[805] The same author reports that
the natives are fond of visits. "The meeting-place is usually the
Tmara-nkanja for the men, _i. e._ the bachelors' camp."[806]
[805] Schultze, _loc. cit._, p. 230.
[806] _Ibid._, p. 234.
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