The Bora of the Kamilaroi Tribes. 151 



after which the women and novices return to the camp as usual, 

 and the men proceed to the goomee. 



One of the most important matters to be disposed of is the 

 selection of a suitable and convenient place for the establishment 

 of the new camp, which may be called the Thurrawonga, after 

 the tribes remove from the Bora ground. One or more of the 

 head men of each tribe stand out in their turn and harangue the 

 rest of the men on the subject, giving their opinions as to the 

 situation which would be the fairest for all. As soon as the 

 locality is decided upon, one of the men who advocate that place 

 advances to the fire which is burning on the goomee, and lifts a 

 firestick, which he throws in the direction in which the new camp 

 is to be erected, at the same time calling out the name of the 

 locality, which is then repeated by all present, and that matter is 

 finally disposed of.* 



The hunting grounds into which the novices will be taken 

 during the principal ceremonies of their initiation have also to be 

 selected. As this point is so intimately connected with the 

 situation of the new camp, the two subjects are frecpuently argued 

 and decided at the same time. 



Another very important matter which engages the attention of 

 the old men is the selection of the Kooringal, the chosen band of 

 athletes, who have the custody of the guardians and novices 

 whilst the latter are going through the secret ceremonies in the 

 bush. The old men choose the Kooringal from amongst all the 

 tribes, each man selected being asked if he is willing to go ; 

 single men are generally asked, but it is not uncommon for 

 manned men to be chosen. 



All these arrangements having been made, and the date fixed 

 for the commencement of the ceremonies, some of the young men 

 strip bark, and shape it into pieces about two feet and a half in 

 length,! and about four inches wide at the broadest end, and two 

 inches at the other, called Mungawan, which they place on the 

 ground near the goomee, with logs of wood laid upon them to keep 



* The Kamilaroi tribes on the Lower Moonie River decide the position of the Thurra- 

 wonga Camp in a different manner, and with greater formalities. Journ. Anthrop. 

 Inst., xxv., 327-8. 



t Pieces of bark similar to these were used for the same purpose at the " Burbling of 

 the Wiradthuri Tribes." Journ. Anthrop. Inst., xxv., 308, plate xxvi., fig. 40. 



