786 REPORT — 1889. 



7. On some former Customs and Beliefs of the Torres Straiis*Islanders. 

 By Professor A. C. Haddon, M.A., M.R.l.A. 



The natives of Torres Straits are divided into two distinct tribes — the Eastern 

 tribe, wliich inhabits Uga, Erub, and tlie JNIurray Islands ; and the Western tribe, 

 which occupies all the remaining islands. There are four subdivisions of the latter 

 tribe, the members of each of which inhabit certain groups of islands. 



lndependentl_y of the above-mentioned subdivisions the islanders were divided 

 into clans, each clan having some animal for its totem, such as the dugong, turtle, 

 dog, cassowary, snake, shark, &c. With the exception of the first two no man 

 wa.« allowed to kill the totem of his own clan. If he did his fellow-clansmen 

 would probably kill him. On a dugong expedition no dugong man might keep the 

 first dugong he captured, but he might partake of all the rest. The same applied 

 to the turtle clan. The women used to have a representation of their totem cut on 

 the small of the back. 



In the Western tribe the lads on entering into manhood underwent a month's 

 isolation in the bush, during which time they were covered over with a mat, were 

 coated with charcoal, and were not allowed, on pain of death, to see any woman or 

 even their own fathers. Neither were they allowed to talk or play. A relative 

 attended them during that period and taught them the customs and system of 

 morality of the tribe. This was followed by a grand feast, when the lad was 

 presented to his relations gaily ornamented, and thenceforth he took standing as a 

 man. In the Eastern tribe two elaborate ceremonies attended the initiation of the 

 lads, but the discipline does not appear to have been so severe as in the other tribe. 



It was the custom in the Western tribe for the women to ask the men in mar- 

 riage. This was attended with certain recognised formalities, The usual money 

 value for a wife was a canoe, or a dugong harpoon, or a shell armlet. On the other 

 hand, in the Eastern tribe the men proposed to the women, and the women had to 

 undergo a period of partial seclusion previous to marriage. The eating of food 

 together was a feature in marriage. 



The funeral customs of the Western tribe appear to have been elaborate. The 

 first operations culminated in the preparation and decoration of the skull of the 

 deceased. The second stage was characterised by handing over the skull to the 

 nearest relatives, the occasion being celebrated by remarkable dances, in which it 

 was a matter of great importance that the women should not recognise the disguised 

 dancers. There were three persons engaged in the main dance, the central one 

 being a man dressed up as a woman. The spirit of the deceased was supposed to 

 go to a mythical island, Kibuka, in the west. The Eastern people made their dead 

 into desiccated mummies, which they kept in their houses. Funeral dances were 

 also held. The departed spirits went to Boigu, an island in the west. 



Belief in sorcery was universal, and all sickness and death were attributed to 

 the charms of the medicine-man. There were also rain and wind-makers. 



There was considerable intra-insular trade, and also between New Guinea 

 (Daudai) and the islands. Canoes were frequently bought on the three-year-hire 

 system. 



Slost of the stars are grouped into constellations, about many of which myths 

 have sprung up. Legends are also attached to numerous prominent rocks and 

 stones. There are several stories about culture-heroes. All of these narratives date 

 from before intercourse with white men. 



8. Anthropological Notes collected at Moivat, Daudai, New Guinea. 

 By Edwaed Beaedmoke. 



9. The British Race in Australia. By Dr. MacLaurin. 



The author did not think there was any distinct type of configuration in the 

 Australian-bom inhabitant which would enable them to distinguish him from the 

 ordinary Englishman or Scotchman. The muscular vigour of the British Austra- 



