THE BURBUNG OR INITIATION CEREMONY. 135 
them to the Thurrawonga Camp, where they take up their quarters 
on the side next their own ngoorumbang. 
Before leaving the burbung, the mothers of the novices provide 
themselves with pieces of burning bark, called bunnang, which 
they carry in their hands wherever they go. The bunnang con- 
sists of two pieces of bark laid together and placed in the fire till 
sufficiently ignited ; it is then taken out, and smoulders as long 
as the bark lasts, when it is renewed by fresh pieces. Wherever 
the mothers rest to light a fire for the purpose of warming them- 
selves or to cook their food, they cover the fire over with earth 
before leaving it, so that no other person may use it and so bring 
mischief upon their sons. 
At the Thurrawonga Camp, the mothers of the novices belong- 
ing to each contingent occupy quarters by themselves a little 
distance from the camp of their own tribe. Every mother has a 
fire of her own, and no one else is permitted to use it. These 
Separate camping places are called dhwnda. Their sisters, or 
mother’s sisters, or some of the elder women provide them with 
food, and attend to their wants generally. These women are 
collectively known as yanniwa, and none of the other women or 
the children are permitted to interfere with them.' Each mother 
eats the whole of the food brought to her, as it would bring evil 
upon her son if she gave any portion of it to the other women 
Present. All the mothers are, however, very abstemious with their 
food whilst their sons are away. 
The-tails, dhallaboolga, retained in the hands of the mothers on 
the morning their sons were taken from them, are fastened to the 
upper ends of spears, and these weapons are stuck into the ground 
beside the quarters of the mothers to whom they belong. Every 
morning and evening the mothers pick up their spears and run, 
quite naked, a distance of about a hundred yards towards the part 
See oes piebesbe eaten 2 
‘The Bunan Ceremony of N. S. Wales.”—American Anthropologist, 
a8 » 841; “The Burbung of the Darkinung Tribes.”—Proc 
ictoria, x., N.S.,7; ‘The Keeparra Ceremony of Initiation.” —Journ. 
Anthrop. Inst., xxvr., 329. 
