62 AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES. 



CHAPTER XV. 



DEATH AND BURIAL. 



Dying persons, especially those dying from old age, generally express an 

 earnest desire to be taken to their birthplace, that they may die and be buried 

 there. If possible, these wishes are always complied with by the relatives and 

 friends. Parents will point out the spot where they were born, so that when 

 they become old and infirm their children may know where they wish their 

 bodies to be disposed of. 



When old people become infirm, and unable to accompany the tribe in its 

 wanderings, it is lawful and customary to kill them. The reasons for this are — 

 that they are a burden to the tribe, and, should any sudden attack be made by 

 an enemy, they are the most liable to be captured, when they would probably be 

 tortured and put to a lingering death. When it has been decided to kill an aged 

 member of the tribe, the relatives depute one of their number to caiTy out the 

 decision. The victim is strangled with a grass rope, and the body, when cold, is 

 burned in a large fire kindled in the neighbourhood. All his property is burned 

 with him except rugs, weapons, and implements. In this cremation the sons 

 and daughters and near relatives take part ; and two or three friends collect the 

 necessary firewood and attend to the fire. This custom is recognized as a 

 necessity. There is, therefore, no concealment practised with regard to it. Very 

 often the poor creatures intended to be strangled cry and beg for delay when 

 they see prepai-ations made for their death, but all in vain. The resolution is 

 always carried out. 



Suicide is uncommon ; but if a native wishes to die, and cannot get any one 

 to kill him, he will sometimes put himself in the way of a venomous snake, that 

 he may be bitten by it. An instance is given of a determination to commit 

 suicide. A man having killed his wife while he was intoxicated, was so sorry, on 

 discovering what he had done, that he besought the tribe to kill him. As he 

 was a general favourite, no one would do it. He resolved, therefore, to starve 

 himself to death on the grave of his deceased wife. His friends, seeing his 



