242 K. H. MATHEWS. 



Karingma, Tatatha, Yerri Yerri, Latyoo Latyoo, Watthi Watthi, 

 and others. * Down the Murray River, between Wentworth and 

 the South Australian boundary, are the Yakayok, Inteck, and 

 Takadok, who speak the Merri language. About Gnalta and 

 White Cliffs are the Tongaranka blacks. The Mulyanappa tribe 

 includes Lake Cobham, Milparinka, and adjacent country. At 

 Lake Boolka and Tilcha are the Endawarra and Berluppa people 

 respectively. The Kunatatchee and Karrengappa tribes are about 

 Lake Bulloo, Tibooburra, and Delalah Downs. 



I shall first endeavour to explain the tribal organisation, 

 showing the groups and totems into which the community is 

 divided, with the laws of marriage and descent established in 

 accordance therewith. This will be followed by an outline of the 

 inaugural rites obtaining among them, which it is thought will be 

 found to possess a peculiar interest, owing to the fact that modified 

 forms of ceremonies are practised in different parts of the country 

 occupied. In the northern end of the nation, for example, the 

 rites are dispensed in a somewhat similar manner to those of the 

 Kamilaroi and Wiradjuri people ; in the southern portion of the 

 district the ceremonies resemble those in force among the Lower 

 Murray tribes ; whilst in a wide tract of country along the 

 western boundary we find the rite of circumcision is incorporated 

 with the other forms, or is to some extent in substitution of them. 

 Group Divisions. 

 The Barkunjee nation, comprising all the tribes spread over the 

 immense tract of country delineated as No. 1 on the annexed map, 

 ^ire divided into two groups, distinguished by the names Muck- 

 warra and Keelparra. If a man belong to the Muckwarra group, 

 his wife must be a Keelparra, and vice versa, the sons and daughters 

 of the marriage taking the name of the group to which their 

 mother belongs. Arranged in tabular form, these rules of marriage 

 and descent appear as follows : 



Husband. Wife. Offspring. 



Muckwarra Keelparra Keelparra 



Keelparra Muckwarra Muckwarra 



