Initiation Ceremonies, Arunta Tribe. 1G3 



a totem group of his own locality. During this conference two 

 Okilia men have been sitting opposite to each other, and as soon 

 as the choice has been made one of them smoothes the ground 

 between them and then the other, who in this instance belonged 

 to the same locality as the Wurtja, crosses over and sits down 

 between the legs of the first man. Them a Gammona man of 

 the Wurtja's locality steps out and brings back an old man who 

 is Ipmunna to the Wurtja and upon whom the choice has 

 fallen. He comes with well simulated reluctance as if he felt 

 himself overpowered with the honour thus conferred upon him 

 and sits down in front of the Okilias, the fi'ont one of whom 

 takes up a boomerang and witli much deliberation draws the flat 

 side tliree times steadily along the ground making thus a smooth 

 little trench out of which he scoops a little soil, and then 

 shuffling along on his knees empties it into the hands of the 

 Ipmunna man. Tlien lie embraces him and rubs his forehead 

 and face against the old man's stomach. Then the other Okilia, 

 the Gammona and Oknia, in the order named, embrace the old 

 man in the same way. The latter belongs to a northern locality, 

 and in choosing him a v.ell recognised compliment has been paid 

 to the group to which he belongs. The old Atwia-twia who had 

 previously been chosen to perform the operation of circumcision 

 now comes up and holds a whispered conversation with the 

 newly appointed Wuiya saying that he is an old man, that his 

 sight is failing and that he does not feel equal to the task, and 

 asks that his son may be allowed to act in his stead. This is 

 agreed to and then the son is called up, and after another 

 whispered conversation on the subject the meeting breaks up 

 and all the men begin to decorate themselves in various colours, 

 the designs having no .special significance. The two Atwia-twia 

 are, however, prominently painted on the face, and their cheeks 

 are blackened with charcoal. 



After the Wurtja has been crouching at his brake for some 

 time with his face turned towards the Apulia, the Wulya comes 

 and begins to paint a design upon his back. The design in this 

 instance is one associated with the Okranina (carpet snake) of a 

 locality called Tliarlinga, a northern locality, and represents a 

 number of snakes around their hole which is indicated by a 

 series of concentric circles. 



