Book contents
- Frontmatter
- PREFACE
- INTRODUCTORY NOTE
- Contents
- YARRUUN PARPUR TARNEEN
- CHAPTER I TRIBES
- CHAPTER II POPULATION
- CHAPTER III CHIEFS
- CHAPTER IV PROPERTY
- CHAPTER V CLOTHING
- CHAPTER VI HABITATIONS
- CHAPTER VII CLEANLINESS
- CHAPTER VIII DOMESTIC FURNITURE
- CHAPTER IX COOKING AND FOOD
- CHAPTER X TOOLS
- CHAPTER XI LAWS OF MARRIAGE
- CHAPTER XII CHILDREN
- CHAPTER XIII NAMES OF PERSONS
- CHAPTER XIV SUPERSTITIONS AND DISEASES
- CHAPTER XV DEATH AND BURIAL
- CHAPTER XVI AVENGING OF DEATH
- CHAPTER XVII GREAT MEETINGS
- CHAPTER XVIII AMUSEMENTS
- CHAPTER XIX WEAPONS
- CHAPTER XX ANIMALS
- CHAPTER XXI METEOROLOGY, ASTRONOMY, ETC
- CHAPTER XXII NATIVE MOUNDS
- CHAPTER XXIII ANECDOTES
- CONVEYANCE, BY PRINCIPAL CHIEFS TO JOHN BATMAN, OF 100,000 ACRES OF LAND, BETWEEN GEELONG AND QUEENSCLIFF
- VOCABULARIES.—WORDS; ANIMALS; RELATIONSHIPS; NAMES OF PLACES; GRAMMAR AND SENTENCES; NUMERALS
- NOTES
CHAPTER II - POPULATION
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 September 2010
- Frontmatter
- PREFACE
- INTRODUCTORY NOTE
- Contents
- YARRUUN PARPUR TARNEEN
- CHAPTER I TRIBES
- CHAPTER II POPULATION
- CHAPTER III CHIEFS
- CHAPTER IV PROPERTY
- CHAPTER V CLOTHING
- CHAPTER VI HABITATIONS
- CHAPTER VII CLEANLINESS
- CHAPTER VIII DOMESTIC FURNITURE
- CHAPTER IX COOKING AND FOOD
- CHAPTER X TOOLS
- CHAPTER XI LAWS OF MARRIAGE
- CHAPTER XII CHILDREN
- CHAPTER XIII NAMES OF PERSONS
- CHAPTER XIV SUPERSTITIONS AND DISEASES
- CHAPTER XV DEATH AND BURIAL
- CHAPTER XVI AVENGING OF DEATH
- CHAPTER XVII GREAT MEETINGS
- CHAPTER XVIII AMUSEMENTS
- CHAPTER XIX WEAPONS
- CHAPTER XX ANIMALS
- CHAPTER XXI METEOROLOGY, ASTRONOMY, ETC
- CHAPTER XXII NATIVE MOUNDS
- CHAPTER XXIII ANECDOTES
- CONVEYANCE, BY PRINCIPAL CHIEFS TO JOHN BATMAN, OF 100,000 ACRES OF LAND, BETWEEN GEELONG AND QUEENSCLIFF
- VOCABULARIES.—WORDS; ANIMALS; RELATIONSHIPS; NAMES OF PLACES; GRAMMAR AND SENTENCES; NUMERALS
- NOTES
Summary
In attempting to ascertain the numbers of individuals in the different tribes, it has been found almost impossible to make the aborigines comprehend or compute very large numbers, or even to obtain, from the very few now alive, an approximate estimate of the aggregate strength of the tribes of the Western district previous to the occupation of the country by the white man. It has been found necessary to ascertain from some of the most intelligent middle-aged persons among them, first, the number of friendly tribes which met annually in midsummer for hunting, feasting, and amusements,—occasions of all others the most likely to draw together the largest gatherings,—and then the average strength of each tribe.
These great meetings were held at Mirræwuse, a large marsh celebrated for emus and other kinds of game, not many miles to the west of Caramut. This place was selected on account of its being a central position for the meetings of the tribes occupying the districts now known as the Wannon, Hamilton, Dunkeld, Mount William, Mount Rouse, Mount Napier, Lake Condah, Dunmore, Tarrone, Kangatong, Spring Creek, Framlingham, Lake Boloke, Skipton, Flattopped Hill, Mount Shadwell, Darlington, Mount Noorat, Camperdown, Wardy Yallock, and Mount Elephant. None of the sea coast tribes attended the meetings at Mirræwuse, as they were afraid of treachery and of an attack on the part of the others.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Australian AboriginesThe Languages and Customs of Several Tribes of Aborigines in the Western District of Victoria, Australia, pp. 3 - 4Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009First published in: 1881