Art. I. — The Biirhung of the Darkinung Trihef<. 

 By R. H. Mathews, 



Licensed Surveyor. 

 [Eead 11th March, 1897.] 



Introdiictory. — The initiation ceremonies described in this 

 article represent those practised by the aboriginal tribes spread 

 over the coastal district of Kew South Wales, from Newcastle 

 southerly to about Sydney, comprising approximately the Counties 

 of Noi'thumberland, Hunter, Cook, .and the greater part of the 

 County of Cumberland. One of the principal dialects was the 

 Darkinung, which was spoken by the tribes occupying the country 

 on the southern side of the Hunter River, from Jerry's Plains 

 downwards towards Maitland, extending southerly to AVollombi 

 Brook, Putty Creek, and including the Macdonald, Colo, and 

 Hawkesbury Rivei^s. Amongst other dialects employed within 

 the boundaries indicated may be mentioned the Wannungine, 

 and Darrook ; but it is probable that in former times there were 

 others of less importance, which have entirely disappeared at the 

 present day. 



A small remnant of the Darkinung Tribe, numbering about 

 sixty persons — men, women, and children — are at present located 

 on a Government Reserve on the left bank of the Hawkesbury 

 River, about twelve miles below Windsor, and consist chiefly of 

 half-castes. There are now only two initiated men surviving in 

 this tribe — Joe Gooburra, a pure black, and Charley Clark, a 

 half-caste — both being old and infirm, and likely to pass away at 

 any time. It was from these two old men, with whom I have 

 been acquainted for some years, that I obtained the particulars 

 given in the following pages. 



The Maiti Camp and Biirbung Ground. — The locality selected 

 for the gathering of the tribes is in some place where there is a 

 good camping ground, with plenty of water for camp use, and 

 also where native game is numerous enough to provide food for 

 the people. The local mob are of course the first to occupy the 



