THE MIKA OR KULPI OPERATION. 119 
and powerfully influence the government of the tribe. The head- 
man, Jalina Piramurana, in complimenting a kulpi on the satis- 
factory manner in which he had accomplished some mission or 
matter which had been entrusted to him, was accustomed also to 
refer to his being a kulpi. All men sent on special missions to 
other tribes are kulpi. It would never be even thought of to 
send a non-kulpi in charge, as he would not carry much weight 
or have such influence as a kulpi, Men often express regret that 
they are not kulpi, feeling some jealousy of the superior position 
of those who are so distinguished, for the kulpis also take pre- 
cedence at the grand corroborees, where they are the principal 
leading dancers and also are “masters of the ceremonies” generally. 
The Dieri say, according to Mr. Gason, that the object of the 
kulpi operation is “cleanliness,” and that without it no one can 
be a “thorough man.” ” 
Hardman,! who was geologist to Forrest’s Kimberley Expedition 
and a keen observer, says that it can hardly be considered from a 
Malthusian standpoint, because “every boy is so treated, and the 
married men have no lack of families.” He thinks it may have 
arisen from some case of stricture, or may perhaps be “simply 
some ancient rite connected with Phallic worship.” 
Foelsche” says that he was told by a Mr. Lautour that he was 
told by the women that the men so operated upon, though not 
impotent, could not beget children, and so on that account were 
Preferred, and Mr. Lautour also said that it was considered as a 
mark of honour. Scarcity of food has been suggested as a cause, 
inducing the members of the tribe to limit their families ; but, 
then again the custom is observed in places where food is plentiful. 
Milne Robertson does not believe it is practised in order to 
limit population; the natives he examined were very fond of 
children and had abundance of food in their country. “ For my 
own part,” he says, “I am inclined to think that these operations 
ici Oe eee saad i eae 
* Proc. Roy. Irish. Acad., 1881, 1. (3) No. 1, p. 73. ee 
* Trans. and Proc. Roy. Soc., South Australia, Vol. Ve Adelaide 2802, ee 
