114 R. H. MATHEWS. 



night ; they camped at Baiamai's fire, and had dogs to give the 

 alarm if any stranger approached. All the men of the tribes took 

 their turn in watching the ground, and there were always two of 

 them on this duty at the same time. 



One of the natives told my informant that the Bora ground 

 represents Baiamai's first camp,* the people who were with him 

 while there, and the gifts he presented them with ; the figures on 

 the ground and the marked trees are emblematical of the surround, 

 ings of such camp. They also state that Baiamai intended the 

 larger circle for the recreation of the women and children — this is 



o 



why it is greater in extent than the other, which is only intended 

 to accommodate a few. 



The Bora ground was ready for more than a month before all 

 the mobs of blacks had mustered, and during this interval the 

 head-men would go and sit around Baiamai's fire, and arrange 

 matters of tribal concern, and discuss subjects in connection with 

 the ceremonies which were shortly to take place. Sometimes 

 these discussions would lead to warmth and unpleasantness, but 

 would always terminate amicably. While the blacks already 

 assembled at the main camp were waiting for the arrival of other 

 contingents, the young men would go out hunting or fishing during 

 the day. The women and children would find employment for 

 themselves about the camp or in assisting the men. During this 

 period there were songs and dances at the camp fire nearly every 

 night. Mr. J. L. Gwydir, manager of Mr. ,T. Tyson's Gundabloui 

 Station, close by, gave the blacks an allowance of beef free of 

 charge, in addition to the Government rations before referred to. 



The Ceremonies. — When at length the last mob of natives had 

 arrived, the ceremonies of the Bora commenced. Every forenoon 

 the initiated blacks went to the Bora ground, and walked about 

 looking at the carvings and other imagery there displayed, spend- 

 ing some of their time talking about these things near Baiamai's 



* Ridley says, " the ground on which the Bora is celebrated is Baiamai's 

 ground." — Anthr. Journ,, vn., p. 243. 



