Tlie Burbarig of the Durl:iniin<j Tribes. 7 



saplings, rails and boughs. It is built in a straight line, and is 

 open on the side facing the direction from which the novices will 

 approach it, in the manner described later on. It is large 

 enough to hold all the novices and their guardians, and has 

 leaves strewn thickly on the floor for them to lie on. Near one 

 end of this long gunyah all loose rubbish is cleared off" the surface 

 of the ground to make it fit for dancing on. Every morning the 

 mothei's of the novices, accompanied by the old women of all the 

 tribes present, repair to the 7vat}oor, and light one or more fires 

 in the cleared space, ai'ound which they sit and sing songs which 

 have reference to the novices. Every night they dance at these 

 fires, from which they lift burning sticks and wave them in the 

 air, in the direction in which they believe the boys to be camped 

 with the headmen. These women are collectively known as 

 yaniihva, and the young women or children, or any of the men, 

 are not permitted to go near them when assembled at the watyoor. 



Ceremonies in the Bush. — We must now return to the novices 

 at the sacred circle. When all the formalities have been carried 

 out, the men and boys start away to the part of the district in 

 which it has been decided to remain whilst carrying out the cere- 

 monies in the bush. All the nien who take part in the secret 

 ceremonies, who are called Kooriiigal., have their bodies painted 

 jet black, with powdered charcoal and grease. The novices walk 

 with their guardians, their heads being inclined on their breasts, 

 and when the camping place is reached, they are placed sitting- 

 down on leaves spread thickly on the ground, tlieir backs being 

 towards the men's quarters. Several days may be spent at this 

 camp, or perhaps a fresh camping place is reached every night. 

 In either case, various spectacular displays, representing animals, 

 hunting scenes, and also songs and dances, take place every fine 

 evening at the camp fires. The time spent at these camps in the 

 bush generally occupies about a fortnight, being regulated by the 

 weather and other considerations. Human ordure is occasionally 

 given to the novices in addition to their daily food. They are 

 not allowed to speak to anyone, and if they require anything 

 they must make a sign to the guardian who has charge of them. 



About the middle of this period, preparations are made for the 

 extraction of one of the novice's upper incisor teeth. A small 

 patch of ground is cleared of all loose rubbish a short distance from 



