SACRED CEREMONIES OF THE ARUNTA TRIBE

Of far greater interest than the ordinary corroborees, which may be taken part in by men, women and even children, are the sacred or secret ceremonies that are called “ quabara undattha.” These may only be seen and taken part in by fully-initiated men. No women or children are allowed anywhere near to the ceremonial ground while they are being prepared and performed.

We have already described how the tribe is divided into a large number of local groups, each of which is supposed to be especially associated with some material object which is spoken of as the totem of every individual member of that group. The first thing that strikes one about these groups is their local character. For example, Alice Springs is the centre of a witchetty grub group, though at the same time other totems are represented amongst the natives living there. The sacred ceremonies, or at least a very large number of them, are associated with what we should call the mythical ancestors of these local groups, though it must be remembered that, to the natives, they are very real and by no means mythical ; in fact, living amongst them at the present time are individuals who are supposed to be the reincarnations of certain of these old-time ancestors whose names even they bear.