ABORIGINAL BORA. 115 



fire, the gins and novices remaining at the main camp. In the 

 afternoon, the mothers of the novices or their nearest female rela- 

 tives* who had them in charge, painted them with red ochre and 

 grease, after which they decorated their necks with beads, and their 

 hair with feathers. When the novices were thus ornamented, they 

 marched in single file from the main camp to the larger circle, keep- 

 ing their eyes fixed on the ground. The women who had charge of 

 them, accompanied by the rest of the women in the camp, as well 

 as the children, walked with the novices, watching that they did not 

 raise their eyes from the ground. The mothers, or relatives who 

 had charge of the boys, were naked to the waist, and were painted 

 with raddle and pipeclay. On arrival at the large circle, the boys 

 entered it through the opening previously described, and sat down 

 on the raised border of the circle, their feet being within it. The 

 Mogil Mogil, Collarendabri and Walgett boys sat on the southern 

 side of the entrance of the circle ; the Mungindi, Kunopia and 

 Welltown boys sat in a similar manner on the opposite side of the 

 entrance ; and on the left of the last named, the boys of the Moonie 

 and St. George tribes took up their position in the same way; — 

 the boys of the three tribes thus sitting in that part of the circle 

 which faced their respective districts. As soon as the boys had 

 sat down, the women and children also entered the circle, and 

 commenced to dance, sing, and play. During all this time the 

 boys were required to keep their eyes cast down. About sun-set, 

 the men, who had been at the Bora ground, as before stated, since 

 the forenoon, joined the assemblage at the larger circle, and took 

 part in a short dance. After this, all hands, with the exception 

 of the two men left to guard the ground, before referred to, went 

 back to the main camp, the boys being escorted on the return 

 march in the same manner as on their way out. This concluded 

 the ceremonies for the day, and nothing more was done on the 

 Bora ground till the following morning. 



* When the mother of the novice is dead, or is unable to be present, it 

 is usual for one of her sisters, own or tribal, who would therefore be the 

 .boy's " tribal " mother, to attend, and discharge the mother's duty. 



