33 



called in Wororra (pi. v., fig. b). The use of the kahlua 

 extends from King Sound to the mouth of the Prince Regent 

 River. The Wunambullu tribe, who live on the north side of 

 the Prince Regent, use a dug-out canoe, known as the 

 "palumbi." 



Construction and Use of the Kahlua. 



The kahlua itself consists of two rafts made of tapering 

 poles, each of which is about 6 feet in length by as many inches 

 at its greatest diameter. These two rafts are placed one-half 

 over the other, end to end, the narrower ends being towards 

 the centre and the larger raft underneath. In some cases the 

 lower raft consisted of nine poles and the upper of seven, but 

 I have not counted these often enough to say whether the 

 number is constant. 



The poles are nailed together, one-to-one, by means of 

 wooden pegs. A number of hard, pointed sticks of 8 or 9 

 inches in length are split longitudinally, to facilitate their 

 passing through the poles. These hard pegs are now driven 

 through one pole into the next by means of a stone used as 

 a hammer. No holes are bored; the poles are simply nailed 

 together. 



Into the near end of the upper surface of the top raft, 

 which is also the back raft, are usually hammered a number 

 of vertical pegs, making a little enclosure in which speared 

 fish and small articles can be placed. 



When not in use the kahlua is either anchored, or drawn 

 up above high-water mark. The two rafts are not fastened 

 together, but only superimposed one upon the other. To place 

 them beyond the reach of the tide each half is dragged 

 separately out of the water. In anchoring the kahlua the 

 turtle spear is used. This is driven vertically between two 

 of the poles into the mud of the sea-bed, and as the tide flows 

 and ebbs the kahlua rises and falls, 'slipping up and down 

 the shaft of the spear. 



One or two, not usually more, persons use the kahlua, 

 each using a single short paddle, known as the 

 "kahlumbun," of about 4 feet in length. This is dipped 

 on alternate sides, but in the case of two paddlers, both dip on 

 the one side at the same time, with a very graceful stroke. 

 The person seated on the kahlua is, of course, constantly 

 being wetted, as the sea laps up between the poles, but except 

 in a "willy-willy" violent enough to break the poles apart, 

 the kahlua is unsinkable and the safest craft imaginable. 



Burial Customs. 

 A child is not allowed to see a corpse, nor take part in 

 any of the rites subsequent to the death of a member of the 

 c 



