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KINSHIP AND SOCIETY
1894 - 1900 |
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Contents |
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Rec. no. |
Title |
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161. |
The Kamilaroi Class System of the Australian Aborigines
- 1894-95 |
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44. |
The Burbung of the New England tribes, New South Wales
- 1896 |
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195. |
Australian Class Systems [Part 1] - 1896 |
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12. |
Aboriginal Customs in North Queensland - 1897 |
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30. |
Australian Class Systems [Part 2] - 1897 |
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153. |
The Totemic Divisions of Australian Tribes - 1897 |
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59. |
Divisions of Australian Tribes - 1898 |
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61. |
Divisions of Queensland Aborigines - 1898 |
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76. |
The Group Divisions and Initiation Ceremonies of the Barkunjee
Tribes - 1898 |
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89. |
The Kamilaroi Divisions - 1898 |
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60. |
Divisions of North Australian Tribes - 1899 |
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62. |
Divisions of Some Aboriginal Tribes, Queensland
- 1899 |
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172. |
Aboriginal Customs in North Queensland -
1899 |
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196. |
Native Tribes of Queensland - 1899 |
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64. |
Divisions of the South Australian Aborigines
- 1900 |
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103. |
Marriage and Descent among the Australian Aborigines
- 1900 |
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111. |
Native Tribes of Western Australia - 1900 |
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120. |
The Organisation, Language and Initiation Ceremonies of the
Aborigines of the
South-East Coast of N. S. Wales - 1900 |
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123. |
The Origin, Organization and Ceremonies of the Australian
Aborigines - 1900 |
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159. |
The Wombya Organization of the Australian Aborigines
- 1900 |
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190. |
Divisions of Some West Australian Tribes
- 1900 |
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68. |
Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of the Northern
Territory - 1900-01 |
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Reference Type: Journal
Article
Record Number: 161
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1894-95
Title: The Kamilaroi Class System of the Australian Aborigines
Journal: Proceedings and Transactions of the Queensland Branch of the
Royal Geographical Society of Australasia
Volume: 10
Pages: 18-34
Date: 1895
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Abstract: This was Mathews’ first article in the journal of the Royal
Geographical Society, Queensland Branch, a publication to which he
contributed throughout his anthropological career. It is also his first
article to deal with Aboriginal kinship and marriage customs, an immensely
controversial subject among Australian anthropologists of this period.
Largely descriptive in approach, it names the primary moieties and their
sub-divisions (Mathews calls them ‘classes’). Members of one class are
expected to marry into another designated class, the classes being at all
times exogamous. The article is divided into sections with the following
subheadings: ‘Division into Classes’; ‘Tribal Divisions’; ‘Marriage and
Descent’; ‘Relationship’; ‘Intermarriage of the Totems’; ‘Other Tribes’;
‘Equivalent Classes’; ‘Other Class Systems’. Although principally concerned
with the Kamilaroi communities of New South Wales, the article mentions six
other language groups. The article suggests (though does not actually state)
that the information in this paper was collected directly from Aboriginal
people. No correspondents or other writers are acknowledged. Mathews must
have known Howitt and Fison’s significant book Kamilaroi and Kurnai (1880)
but it is not mentioned here. This oversight may have contributed to Howitt
and Fison’s differences with Mathews. He would later retract the claim, made
on page 29 of this article, that the totems of the Kaiabara tribe in
Queensland are determined by male descent. Howitt was apparently his
authority on this matter, but is not quoted here. Mathews revealed that
Howitt was his source in ‘Literature relating to Australian Aborigines
[Letter to the Editor]’, published in Nature in 1907. In ‘Sociology of some
Australian Tribes’ (1905) Mathews modified his view that the Australian
moieties are exogamous. He requested that '[i]n any of my previous
articles…in which it may be stated that an aboriginal community comprises
"two exogamous divisions," the reader is requested to substitute "two
principal divisions"’
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kamilaroi
2. Wiradjuri
3. Kuinmurbura
4. Barkinji
5. Kaiabara
6. Wakelbura
7. Yerrunthully
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Lower Gwydir River
2. Hunter River
3. Maranoa River QLD
4. Moree
5. Namoi River
6. Rockhampton QLD
7. Barwon River
8. Murray River
9. Murrumbidgee River
10. Bunya Bunya Mountains QLD
11. Dalby QLD
12. Elgin Down
13. Belyando River QLD
14. Flinders River
15. Hughenden QLD
16. Darling River
17. Gulf of Carpentaria
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Bora/initiation ceremonies of the Kamilaroi - Journal of the Royal
Society of New South Wales (18-9).
2. Burbung/initiation ceremonies of the Wiradjuri - Journal of the
Anthropological Institute of Great Britain (10).
CROSS-REFERENCE
In 'Literature relating to Australian Aborigines [Letter to the Editor]'
(Nature, 1907) Mathews describes the occasion when he used Howitt's work
concerning the Kaiabara tribe in 1898. Established it was female descent,
not male as Howitt claimed. 'Mr. Howitt, however, repeats his former error
in his book at p. 229, where he says that "descent [in the Kaiabara] is in
the male line."'
Possible reference to this in letter to Daisy Bates of 14 December 1905: 'I
had some bitter experiences in that line myself some 10 years ago. I 'rushed
into print' with some information, and I have been very sorry ever since. I
would now, at the eleventh hour, advise you to say no more either on the
platform or in any journal, until you have mastered this business of the
divisions and totems.'
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'The Kamilaroi Divisions' (1898)
'The Kamilaroi Class System of the Australian Aborigines' (1894-5)
'The Totemic Divisions of Australian Tribes' (1897)
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Reference Type:
Journal Article**
Record Number: 44
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1896
Title: The Burbung of the New England tribes, New South Wales
Journal: Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria
Volume: 9 (new series)
Pages: 120-36
Keywords: Ceremonial objects - Bullroarers
Ceremonies - initiation
Kinship and marriage
Abstract: W. Baldwin Spencer communicated this article, read before
the Royal Society of Victoria on 9 July 1896, before hostilities developed
between Spencer and Mathews. The article is a detailed description of a
Burbung ceremony of male initiation, practised by Aboriginal communities
between Moonbi and Ben Lomond on the New England Tableland of northern New
South Wales. Mathews states that these people speak dialects known as
‘Nowan’ and ‘Yunggai’ and that their organisation of marriage is similar to
that of their western neighbours, the Kamilaroi. He acknowledges that even
with the New England region, there is considerable diversity in the
initiation ceremonies. Mathews states that he met many New England
Aborigines in the course of his surveying work. The article, he claims, is
‘the result of my own observations, and from information obtained from the
natives…’ He does not name his informants. The ceremony [is] described […].
Tooth avulsion was not practised—or had disappeared since European contact.
The description of the ceremony is arranged under the following
sub-headings: ‘The Main Camp and Burbung Ground’; ‘Mustering the Tribes’;
‘Taking away the Boys’; ‘Removal of the Main Camp’; ‘Ceremonies in the
Bush’; ‘Final Ceremonies’; ‘Conclusion’. Mathews states that the coastal
neighbours of the New England people practised an initiation ceremony known
as Keeparra. This was described in his article ‘The Keeparra Ceremony of
Initiation’ (1897).
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kamilaroi
2. Wiradthuri
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Moonbi
2. Ben Lomond
3. Walcha
4. Hillgrove
5. Oban
6. Bendemeer
7. Bundarra
8. Inverell
9. Hunter River
10. Clarence River
11. Severn River
12. Macintyre River
13. Gwydir River
14. Namoi River
INFORMANTS
1. 'the natives' (120).
2. 'several natives with which [sic] I am acquainted' (on tooth extraction
in other areas) (135).
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Kamilaroi and Wiradthuri initiation ceremonies (121).
2. Tooth extraction (135).
3. Bora of Kamilaroi tribe (136).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'The Murrawin Ceremony' (1900)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 195
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1896
Title: Australian Class Systems [Part 1]
Journal: American Anthropologist
Volume: 9
Pages: 411-16
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Abstract: This article concerns the kinship and marriage customs
observed by southern Wiradjuri people in New South Wales. Mathews describes
a system of allocating spouses with two matrilineal moieties, each of which
is divided into a further two ‘classes’. Members of one class must find a
spouse from members of another designated class, the system being exogamous.
In this four class system particular totems are associated with each class.
What class an individual belongs to is determined by the class of their
mother. Mathews provides a table showing four of the totems associated with
each of the classes. Importantly, this early article refers to the existence
of what Mathews described as ‘irregular’ marriages—those which do not
conform to the standard rules but which are nonetheless considered
legitimate under the kinship system. He briefly mentions the role played by
the Burbung ceremony of initiation in educating boys in the marriage rules
and other matters. This article was continued in a later contribution to
American Anthropologist titled ‘Australian Class Systems [Part 2]’ (1897).
In ‘Sociology of some Australian Tribes’ (1905) Mathews modified his view
that the Australian moieties are exogamous. He requested that '[i]n any of
my previous articles…in which it may be stated that an aboriginal community
comprises "two exogamous divisions," the reader is requested to substitute
"two principal divisions"’.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kamilaroi
2. Wiradjuri
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Murrumbidgee River above Jugiong and down as far as Hay, extending
southwards to the Murray and north up the Lachlan as far as the effluxion of
the Willandra Billabong.
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. 'The Kamilaroi Class System of the Australian Aborigines' (1894-95)
2. 'The Burbung of the Wiradthuri Tribes' (1896)
3. 'The Burbung of the Wiradthuri Tribes (Part II)' (1897)
4. 'Aboriginal Rock Paintings and Carvings in New South Wales' (1894)
5. 'Australian Rock Pictures' (1895)
RELATED ARTICLES
Australian Class Systems [Part 2] (1897) is a continuation of this article.
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 12
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1897
Title: Aboriginal Customs in North Queensland
Journal: Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland
Volume: 13
Pages: 33-37
Keywords: Ceremonies - initiation
Kinship and marriage
Sand and ground designs
Subincision
Tree carvings
Abstract: This is the second of the three articles that Mathews
published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland. It was read
at a meeting of the society on 11 September 1897. It is a short and very
general article on North Queensland, evidently intended to encourage other
settlers to take up ethnological research. The data are organised under the
following headings: ‘Class Systems’ (viz kinship and marriage customs);
‘Initiation Ceremonies’; ‘Incision’ (viz subincision); ‘Rock Pictures’;
‘Ground Drawings’; and ‘Marked Trees’. Some historical sources are quoted,
but otherwise it is not clear how Mathews obtained his information. Little,
if any, was based on personal inquiry. Although a minor article, it is of
some significance in that it reveals growing differences between Mathews and
his Victorian rival A. W. Howitt. Describing the kinship and marriage laws
of the tribes along the Leichhardt, Cloncurry, Flinders, Norman, Gilbert,
Mitchell and Kennedy rivers, Mathews remarks: ‘[i]t has been said that some
of these tribes have agnatic [patrilineal] descent; but I now think this is
very doubtful.’ The question of whether an individual’s position in the
kinship system was determined by their father or mother was a controversial
question at this time. In the case of Queensland, Mathews tended to argue
for matrilineal descent, whereas Howitt believed that descent was determined
by the father. A later article, also titled ‘Aboriginal Customs in North
Queensland’ (1899), is a near duplication of this one. In ‘Sociology of some
Australian Tribes’ (1905) Mathews modified his view that the Australian
moieties are exogamous. He requested that '[i]n any of my previous
articles…in which it may be stated that an aboriginal community comprises
"two exogamous divisions," the reader is requested to substitute "two
principal divisions"’. In ‘Note on the Social Organisation of the Turrubul
and adjacent Tribes’ (1907) Mathews pointed to Howitt’s continuing neglect
of criticisms made in this article.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kamilaroi
2. Wiradjuri
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Gulf of Carpentaria
2. Leichhardt River
3. Cloncurry River
4. Flinders River
5. Norman River
6. Gilbert River
7. Mitchell River
8. Kennedy River
9. Cape York Peninsula
10. Princess Charlottes Bay
11. Main Dividing Range
12. Great Australian Bight
13. Port Lincoln
14. Mulligan River
15. Dawson River
16. Batavia River
INFORMANTS
1. 'an old blackfellow on the Dawson river who had seen the paintings done
when he was a youth' (36).
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. General reference to work on customs (see 'other notes') (33).
2. Work on Kamilaroi organisation (33).
3. Initiation ceremonies in New South Wales (34).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'Aboriginal Customs in North Queensland', Science of Man (1899) is a near
duplication of this article.
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 30
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1897
Title: Australian Class Systems [Part 2]
Journal: American Anthropologist
Volume: 10
Pages: 345-47
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Abstract: This brief article is an adjunct to ‘Australian Class
Systems [Part 1]’ (1896). It concerns the kinship and marriage customs
observed by southern Wiradjuri people in New South Wales. As Mathews says of
the earlier article, the editor of American Anthropologist ‘found it
necessary, in order to provide space for my paper, to abridge it in certain
particulars, and, among other matter, excised some details relating to the
descent of the children.’ The data provided here are intended to fit between
lines 34 and 35 of page 414 of the earlier article. Naming sixteen totems,
he states the totems of their mothers.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Wiradjuri
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
Not applicable.
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Refers to work published in American Anthropologist IX, 411-6, which was,
by necessity, edited for space (345).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Australian Class Systems (1896)
Australian Class Systems (1897) (This article)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 153
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1897
Title: The Totemic Divisions of Australian Tribes
Journal: Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South
Wales
Volume: 31
Pages: 154-76
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Abstract: This comprehensive description of Kamilaroi and Wiradjuri
totemic systems was read before the Royal Society of New South Wales on 7
July 1897. It is crucial to an understanding of Mathews’ opinions on the
controversial subject of Aboriginal marriage customs. The article opens by
surveying the work of other authors who have studied Aboriginal kinship
including Ridley, Howitt and Fison. Mathews gives a particularly in-depth
account of the Kamilaroi and Wiradjuri kinship systems and suggests some new
terminology for describing it. Instead of the terms ‘class and sub-class’
(which he himself had previously used), he considers it more appropriate to
use the terms ‘totemic group’ and ‘section’. He also suggests that the name
of the totem is more important than that of the group or section. Describing
the Kamilaroi marriage rules, Mathews explains that the community is divided
into two exogamous groups named Dilbi and Kupathin. Each of these is divided
into two groups or sections: Dilbi into Murri and Kubbi; and Kupathin into
Ippai and Kumbo. Each individual must marry into a particular division of
the opposing group. This has the effect of preventing consanguineous
marriages. Every member of the community also has a totem: most commonly an
animal, although it could be a plant, star or other object. The Dilbi and
Kupathin groups each have a distinct and exclusive set of totems. Since
Dilbi must marry Kupathin and vice versa, the totems of husband and wife
will necessarily be different. Nevertheless, there is a separate and
overriding prohibition of unions within totemic groups. This rule becomes
relevant when Mathews raises the most controversial aspect of his views on
the kinship system. This was the proposition that marriage within a group (eg
Ippai marrying Ippai, etc)—obviously a violation of the previously stated
rules—was actually condoned by the community. Such marriages were not the
norm, but Mathews encountered enough of them in the course of his research
that he concluded they were a legitimate part of the marriage system. Here
he calls these alliances ‘family marriages’, although later he would use the
term ‘irregular’. He found that these marriages were also regulated so as to
prevent incest. It was strictly forbidden to marry within one’s totem. Since
an individual always had the totem of his or her mother’s mother, incestuous
alliances were still impossible. In ‘Sociology of some Australian Tribes’
(1905) Mathews modified his view that the Australian moieties are exogamous.
He requested that '[i]n any of my previous articles…in which it may be
stated that an aboriginal community comprises "two exogamous divisions," the
reader is requested to substitute "two principal divisions"’.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kamilaroi
2. Kurnai
3. Wiradjuri (Wirathuri)
4. Darkinung
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Namoi River
2. Murrumbidgee district
3. Hunter River
4. Colo River
5. Macdonald River
6. Wollombi River
7. Jugiong
8. Hay
INFORMANTS
1. Miss Baker, daughter of Mr. W. T. Baker, Inspector of Police at Kempsey
(176).
2. Mr. Charles A. Brewster, a Police Trooper at Mungindi, on the Barwon
River (176).
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. 1894 paper to Royal Geographical Society of Australasia on Kamilaroi
divisions (155).
2. 1896 paper to Anthropological Society of Washington on Wiradjuri
divisions and marriage laws (156).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'The Kamilaroi Divisions' (1898)
'The Kamilaroi Class System of the Australian Aborigines' (1894-5)
'The Totemic Divisions of Australian Tribes' (1897)
'Note on the Social Organisation of the Turrubul and Adjacent Tribes' (1907)
'Australian Divisional Systems' (1898)
'The Murrawin Ceremony' (1900)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 59
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1898
Title: Divisions of Australian Tribes
Journal: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society
Volume: 37
Pages: 151-54
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Abstract: This article is characteristic of Mathews’ many short
publications on kinship and marriage customs. It describes the system of
organising marriages, common in South Australia and the Northern Territory,
in which two primary groups or moieties are both divided into four ‘classes
or divisions’. This he refers to as the eight-class kinship system. He also
refers to the four-part system of the Murawari (Muruwari) people in
northwest New South Wales which uses the same nomenclature as that of the
Kamilaroi (on which he had previously reported). Two correspondents are
acknowledged—S. N. Innes, a settler from the Northern Territory, and James
S. Miller, a policeman from northwest New South Wales. Mathews would refer
to this paper in his 1900 publication ‘The Wombya Organization of the
Australian Aborigines’ in which he attaches the term ‘Wombya Organization’
to the eight-class system. In ‘Divisions of Some West Australian Tribes’
(1900) Mathews reported that the Wombya Organisation occurs more extensively
in Western Australia than he had previously realised. In ‘Sociology of some
Australian Tribes’ (1905) Mathews modified his view that the Australian
moieties are exogamous. He requested that '[i]n any of my previous
articles…in which it may be stated that an aboriginal community comprises
"two exogamous divisions," the reader is requested to substitute "two
principal divisions"’.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kamilaroi
2. Moorawarri (Murawari - language)
3. Uollaroi (dialect)
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Finke River, SA
2. Port Darwin
3. Gulf of Carpentaria
4. Culgoa River
5. Goodooga
6. Bokara River
7. Barringun
8. Warrego River
INFORMANTS
1. Mr. S. N. Innes, the owner of a station in the Northern Territory.
According to Mathews, Innes had read a paper written by Mathews in 1894 on
the class systems of other tribes and this had awoken Innes's interest.
Mathews wrote to Innes and Innes 'willingly offered to collect particulars
of the divisions among the natives in his district' (151).
2. Mr. J. E. Miller of Goodooga, who is thanked 'for his willing assistance'
(154) in 'gathering particulars respecting the Moorawarrie tribe' (154).
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Mr. S. N. Innes (151)
2. Mr. J. E. Miller (154)
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Refers to paper written in 1894 on the class systems of other tribes
(151).
2. States that this article provides the first-ever published description of
Moorawarrie sectional divisions (154)
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
‘The Kamilaroi Class System of the Australian Aborigines’ (1894-95)
‘Australian Class Systems [Part 1]’ (1896)
‘Australian Class Systems [Part 2]’ (1897)
‘The Totemic Divisions of Australian Tribes’ (1897)
‘Australian Divisional Systems’ (1898)
'The Wombya Organization of the Australian Aborigines' (1900)
‘Divisions of Some West Australian Tribes’ (1900)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 61
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1898
Title: Divisions of Queensland Aborigines
Journal: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society
Volume: 37
Pages: 327-36
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Abstract: This article on kinship and marriage customs in Queensland
and part of northern New South Wales concerns three adjoining Aboriginal
communities (or ‘nations’ in Mathews’ terminology): the Dippil; the
Kogai-Yuipera; and the Kooinmerburra. Mathews provides a map showing their
boundaries. The territory covered extends from the New South Wales border to
Townsville. In the case of each ‘nation’, Mathews describes the primary
‘groups’ or moieties and their divisions, as well as the role of totems.
Mathews seeks to establish whether descent of each kinship system occurs
through the mother or the father. On this subject Mathews disagrees with
published statements by A. W. Howitt who Mathews claims had ‘evidently been
misinformed’. He says that he was formerly misled by Howitt’s conclusions on
the line of descent of the Kaiabara tribe, but now he has established ‘from
personal inquiry’ that descent occurs ‘through the mother’. Although
Mathews’ tone is polite, it is possible that this article contributed to the
rift that soon became apparent between him and Howitt. Beyond the reference
cited above to ‘personal inquiry’, Mathews says little about how he obtained
his data. The contribution of one correspondent, William H. Flowers, is
acknowledged. In ‘Sociology of some Australian Tribes’ (1905) Mathews
modified his view that the Australian moieties are exogamous. He requested
that '[i]n any of my previous articles…in which it may be stated that an
aboriginal community comprises "two exogamous divisions," the reader is
requested to substitute "two principal divisions"’. In ‘Notes on the
Aborigines of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland’
(1906-07) Mathews revealed his suspicion that Howitt’s purportedly erroneous
views on patrilineal descent originated from Harry E. Aldridge, a Queensland
settler with whom both Mathews and Howitt had corresponded. In ‘Note on the
Social Organisation of the Turrubul and adjacent Tribes’ (1907) Mathews
pointed to Howitt’s continuing neglect of criticisms made in this article.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Dippil nation
2. Dippil
3. Turrubul
4. Paiamba
5. Kitabool
6. Kaiabara
7. Kooranga
8. Goonine
9. Murrungama
10. Kamilaroi
11. Kogai-Yuipera nation
12. Kooinmerburra
13. Barkunjee
14. Gnoree
15. Murgoan
16. Moothaburra
17. Birria
18. Koonkerri
19. Kurrawulla
20. Manthamurra
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Upper Clarence River NSW
2. Port Curtis QLD
3. Brisbane River
4. Mary River
5. Burnett River
6. Dawson River
7. Upper Condamine River
8. Moreton Island
9. Stradbroke Island
10. Fraser Island
11. Condamine River
12. Moreton Bay
13. Wide Bay
14. Clarence River
15. Dumaresq River
16. Keppel Bay
17. Port Bowen
18. Cape Townshend
19. Shoalwater Bay
20. Broad Sound
21. Long Island
22. Curtis Island
23. Mackay
24. Fitzroy River
25. Warrego River
26. Paroo River
27. Bulloo River
28. Barcoo River
29. Thomson River
30. Diamantina River
INFORMANTS
1. Mr. William H. Flowers, 'one of my most valued correspondents, who took a
deal of trouble in replying to my inquiries' (334).
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Mr. William H. Flowers.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Map - boundaries of some Queensland nations (335).
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Work on initiation ceremonies (327).
2. Previous paper which detailed work done by Rev. William Ridley, Mr. R. B.
Smyth, Mr. E. M. Curr and Mr. E. Palmer (331).
3. Gives his informant, Mr. William H. Flowers, a credit: 'In 1894 … I
incidentally referred to the Kooinmerburra divisions reported by Mr.
Flowers' (334).
4. Work on Kamilaroi and Barkunjee initiation ceremonies (336).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
‘The Kamilaroi Class System of the Australian Aborigines’ (1894-95)
'The Group Divisions and Initation Ceremonies of the Barkunjee Tribes'
(Appendix) (1898)
‘Aboriginal Customs in North Queensland’ (1897)
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Reference Type: Journal Article**
Record Number: 76
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1898
Title: The Group Divisions and Initiation Ceremonies of the Barkunjee
Tribes
Journal: Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South
Wales
Volume: 32
Pages: 241-55
Keywords: Ceremonies - initiation
Kinship and marriage
Abstract: Uncharacteristically, Mathews decided on this occasion to
discuss male initiation ceremonies and the rules of kinship in a single
article. The community discussed is the 'Barkunjee Nation', the territory of
which is delineated on an accompanying map (which gets a three page
explanation at the conclusion of the article). The Barkunjee Nation,
according to Mathews, is situated along the Darling River north of
Wentworth. It encompasses Menindie (Menindee), Wilcannia, Louth, Tibooburra
and other localities. The map also depicts the surrounding Aboriginal
'nations' which are mentioned in the article. The section concerning
marriage rules, presented under the heading 'Group Divisions', is brief. It
states that the community is divided into two groups, Muckwarra and
Keelparra, who are required to marry each other. Mathews acknowledges that
E. M. Curr in The Australian Race was the first to publish this information.
Mathews states that there are specific totems associated with each of the
Barkunjee moieties. He also claims that the differing marriage rules of
Wiradjuri and Wimmera people are well understood by the Barkunjee 'who have
generally been on friendly terms' with their neighbours. There was frequent
intermarriage with members of both these communities. The section of the
article headed 'Initiation Ceremonies' is more extensive. It reports
divergent forms of male initiation within the Barkunjee territory including
depilation along the Darling River south of Menindee and circumcision in
other areas. Mathews states that data was provided by 'old blackfellows of
the Silverton, Broken Hill, and adjacent districts.' Various settlers are
also acknowledged including one of Mathews' sons who resided in Queensland.
The article also contains a four-page appendix. Titled 'Divisions of Some
North Queensland Tribes', it does not concern the Barkunjee. Rather, it
describes marriage customs in the Mycoolon, Myappe and Kalkadoon tribes of
North Queensland, elaborating on data presented in the paper 'Australian
Divisional Systems' (1898). In 'Divisions of Some Aboriginal Tribes,
Queensland' (1899) Mathews extrapolated on the Queensland data in the
appendix. In 'Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of Queensland'
(1905) Mathews elaborated on the kinship system of the Inchalachee or
Inchalanchee tribe. In 'Sociology of some Australian Tribes' (1905) Mathews
modified his view that the Australian moieties are exogamous. He requested
that '[i]n any of my previous articles…in which it may be stated that an
aboriginal community comprises "two exogamous divisions," the reader is
requested to substitute "two principal divisions."'
Notes: TRIBES
1. Barkunjee
2. Wiradjuri
3. Kamilaroi
4. Kogai-Yuipera nation
5. Narrinyeri
6. Unelgo
7. Koonoo
8. Bahroonjee
9. Byjerri
10. Marowera
11. Tungarlee
12. Karingma
13. Tatatha
14. Yerri Yerri
15. Latyoo Latyoo
16. Watthi Watthi
17. Yakayok
18. Inteck
19. Takadok
20. Merri language
21. Tongaranka
22. Mulyanappa
23. Endawarra
24. Berluppa
25. Kunatatchee
26. Kerrengappa
27. Wirramaya
28. Mycoolon
29. Myappe
30. Kalkadoon
31. Koogobathy
32. Warkeeman
33. Booburam
34. Shanganburra
35. Kookoowarra
36. Mularitchee
37. Chungi
38. Koochulburra
39. Koorabunna
40. Kooinmerburra
41. Wokelburra
42. Bangarang
43. Booandik
44. Dippil nation
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Murray River
2. Lower Murray River
3. Mount Murchison
4. Darling River
5. Menindie
6. Lower Paroo River
7. Lower Darling River
8. Wentworth
9. Swan Hill
10. Gnalta
11. White Cliffs
12. Lake Cobham
13. Milparinka
14. Lake Boolka
15. Tilcha
16. Lake Bulloo
17. Tibooburra
18. Delalah Downs
19. Balranald
20. Euston
21. Lake Tyrell
22. Wimmera
23. Lake Hindmarsh
24. Avoca River
25. Silverton
26. Broken Hill
27. Moorundie
28. Overland Corner
29. Yorkes Peninsula SA
30. Upper Mitchell River
31. Gilberton
32. Mitchell River
33. Gamboola Station
34. Hodgkinson River
35. Walsh River
36. Tate River
37. Lynd River
38. Einasleigh River
39. Etheridge River
40. Copperfield River
41. Gilbert River
42. Gulf of Carpentaria
43. Barron River
44. Herbert River
45. Burdekin River
46. Nicholson River
47. Johnstone River
48. Cairns
49. Cardwell
50. Halifax Bay
51. Hinchinbrook
52. Palm Isles
53. Broad Sound
54. Port Curtis
55. Dawson River
56. Fitzroy River
57. Medway Station
58. Bogantungan
59. Belyando River
60. Kennedy River
61. Princess Charlotte Bay
62. Moulamein
63. Balranald
64. Murrumbidgee River
65. Port Phillip
66. Mount Gambier
67. Euston
68. Avon River
69. Wimmera River
70. Lake Alexandrina
71. Coopers Creek
72. Dawson River
73. Upper Condamine River
INFORMANTS
1. Mr. Charles Lockhart 'told me that about the same period he drew
attention to the plucking out of the hair growing on the persons of the men'
(243).
2. 'old blackfellows of the Silverton, Broken Hill, and adjacent districts
(246).
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Mr. Dickson (251).
2. Mr. Shadforth (252).
3. Mr. W. H. Flowers of Medway Station, Bogantungan (253).
4. Information provided by Mathews' son in North Queensland (252).
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Map - Plan of the Barkunjee Nation
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Kamilaroi and Wiradjuri initiation ceremonies (247).
2. Divisions of Mycoolon, Myappe and Kalkadoon tribes (250).
3. Boundaries in Queensland (255).
CROSS REFERENCES
In ‘Divisions of Some Aboriginal Tribes, Queensland’ (1899) Mathews
extrapolated on the Queensland data in the appendix.
In ‘Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of Queensland’ (1905)
Mathews elaborated on the kinship system of the Inchalachee or Inchalanchee
tribe.
RELATED ARTICLES
'Divisions of Queensland Aborigines' (1898)
‘Divisions of Some Aboriginal Tribes, Queensland’ (1899)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 89
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1898
Title: The Kamilaroi Divisions
Journal: Science of Man
Volume: 1 (new series)
Issue: 7
Pages: 155-58
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Abstract: Like the majority of Mathews' contributions to the magazine
Science of Man, this article replicates data Mathews had previously
published. He acknowledges that this article is largely copied from 'The
Totemic Divisions of Australian Tribes' (1897) (refer to abstract). A few
differences from the earlier publication are notable. The discussion of
Wiradjuri customs has not been included, and the earlier acknowledgment of
Howitt and Fison's work on this subject has been omitted. In 'Sociology of
some Australian Tribes' (1905) Mathews modified his view that the Australian
moieties are exogamous. He requested that '[i]n any of my previous
articles…in which it may be stated that an aboriginal community comprises
"two exogamous divisions," the reader is requested to substitute "two
principal divisions."'
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kamilaroi
2. Wiradjuri
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
Not applicable.
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. 1894 article on Kamilaroi system to Royal Geographical Society at
Brisbane (155).
2. 1897 article on Kamilaroi system to Royal Society of New South Wales
(155).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'The Kamilaroi Class System of the Australian Aborigines' (1894-5)
'The Totemic Divisions of Australian Tribes' (1897)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 60
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1899
Title: Divisions of North Australian Tribes
Journal: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society
Volume: 38
Pages: 75-79
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Abstract: The data in this short article on Northern Territory
marriage customs were supplied by an unnamed correspondent. Mathews provides
five tables explaining the moiety and divisional systems of various
communities: the Arrinda (Arranda) tribe of the Todd and Finke rivers; the
Warramong tribe of Tennant's Creek; the Yuckamurri, Yanular, Leanawa,
Yookala and Kurrawar tribes of the McCarthur, Kangaroo and Calvert rivers;
tribes along the Victoria River; and the southern Arrinda tribe of the
Middle Finke River and Charlotte Waters. The first table is intended to
replace one printed on page 72 of 'Australian Divisional Systems' (1898). In
that regard the paper is symptomatic of Mathews' often eccentric publishing
practice, since he is using the Philadelphia-based Proceedings of the
American Philosophical Society to amend a paper that had appeared in the
Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales. Eight years
later he made the following correction to this article: 'In volume XXXVIII
of this journal, page 77, table II, then publishing the eight intermarrying
sections of the Warramonga tribe at Tennant's Creek, Northern Territory, I
regret that some errors crept in during my rearrangement of the section
names from one of my previous tables. Since then I have published several
correct tables, but it is only necessary to refer the reader to one of them,
given in The American Antiquarian, Vol. XXVIII, pp. 87 seq., table IV, which
supplies full details of the intermarrying laws in force among the
Warramonga natives.' (See 'Languages of Some Tribes of Western Australia'
[1907]). In 'The Arran'da Language, Central Australia' (1906) Mathews
declared that he had obtained information published in this article from the
Northern Territory policeman W. H. Willshire 'and other men who had resided
many years in the district and were well acquainted with the natives...' In
'Sociology of some Australian Tribes' (1905) Mathews modified his view that
the Australian moieties are exogamous. He requested that '[i]n any of my
previous articles…in which it may be stated that an aboriginal community
comprises "two exogamous divisions," the reader is requested to substitute
"two principal divisions."' In 'Matrilineal Descent in the Arranda and
Chingalee Tribes' (1911) Mathews revealed that the 'a correspondent [who]
furnished me with additional information' (page 76 of this article) was 'Mr.
Jackson, a friend who visited various parts of that district in 1895 in
connection with mining'.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Arrinda [Arranta]
2. Warramonga
3. Yuckamurri
4. Yanular
5. Leanawa
6. Yookala
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Gulf of Carpentaria
2. Wentworth River
3. Nicholson River
4. Gregory River
5. Upper Georgina River
6. Finke River
7. Todd River
8. Georgina River
9. Tennants Creek
10. McArthur River
11. Kangaroo River
12. Calvert River
13. Upper Finke River
14. Daly River
15. Victoria River
16. Middle Finke waters
17. Charlotte waters
18. Macumba River
INFORMANTS
1. 'a correspondent [who] furnished me with additional information' (76);
'my correspondent also made some further investigations' (76).
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Mathews refers to 'a correspondent [who] furnished me with additional
information' (76).
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Refers to previous article on this subject, published in the Proceedings
of the American Philosophical Society (75).
2. Also refers to having reported on 'a similar eight-section system' (75)
in the northwest corner of Queensland.
3. Refers to article contributed to the Royal Society of New South Wales in
1898, describing the eight sections of the Arrinda.
CROSS-REFERENCES
Mathews later conceded that he had again made errors on this subject,
writing: 'In volume XXXVIII of this journal, page 77, table II, then
publishing the eight intermarrying sections of the Warramonga tribe at
Tennant's Creek, Northern Territory, I regret that some errors crept in
during my rearrangement of the section names from one of my previous tables.
Since then I have published several correct tables, but it is only necessary
to refer the reader to one of them, given in The American Antiquarian, Vol.
XXVIII, pp. 87 seq., table IV, which supplies full details of the
intermarrying laws in force among the Warramonga natives.' This stated in
'Languages of Some Tribes of Western Australia' (1907), p. 368.
In 'The Arran'da Language, Central Australia' (1906) Mathews declared that
he had obtained information published in this article from the notorious
Northern Territory policeman W. H. Willshire 'and other men who had resided
many years in the district and were well acquainted with the natives...'
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'The Arran'da Language, Central Australia' (1906)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 62
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1899
Title: Divisions of Some Aboriginal Tribes, Queensland
Journal: Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South
Wales
Volume: 33
Pages: 103-11
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Abstract: As stated in the opening lines, the purpose of this article
is to 'furnish similar information respecting a few other [Queensland]
tribes' adjoining those communities discussed in two earlier Mathews papers:
'Australian Divisional Systems' (1898) and 'The Group Divisions and
Initiation Ceremonies of the Barkunjee Tribes' (1898). A number of tribal
groups are named (see list of tribes below). The following areas are
mentioned: Lower Wilson River, Cooper's Creek and part of the Diamantina;
Mulligan River, Saltpetre Creek, Pituri Creek and the Upper Georgina River;
Norman and Yapper rivers, Spear Creek, Carron Creek, Walker's Creek, the
Lower Gilbert, Byerley's Creek, Pelican Creek, Staaten River, Nassau River
and the lower parts of the Einasleigh and Lynd rivers; country around the
Dawson and Fitzroy rivers, extending west to Arthur's Bluff; the junction of
the Rankine and Georgina rivers, Barklay's Tableland, and the sources of the
Gregory River and its tributaries. All of the communities mentioned are
divided into two phratries (or moieties), all of which are further
subdivided into 'sections'. In some areas each moiety has two sections, in
others four. All are exogamous. Mathews provides tables showing which
sections are permitted to intermarry. He does not claim to have acquired
this information from direct communication with Aboriginal people. He
acknowledges one settler correspondent, Mr W. Beattie, and he cites other
authors including E. Palmer, W. E. Roth and L. Schultze. Nearly half the
article consists of an appendix titled 'Divisions of Tribes in the Northern
Territory'. Like the main section of the article, it supplements data
reported in the 1898 paper 'Australian Divisional Systems'. Again using
tables showing marriage and descent, Mathews outlines the kinship system for
large parts of the Northern Territory. In 'Ethnological Notes on the
Aboriginal Tribes of Queensland' (1905) Mathews elaborated on the kinship
system of the Inchalachee or Inchalanchee tribe. In 'Sociology of some
Australian Tribes' (1905) Mathews modified his view that the Australian
moieties are exogamous. He requested that '[i]n any of my previous
articles…in which it may be stated that an aboriginal community comprises
"two exogamous divisions," the reader is requested to substitute "two
principal divisions."'
Notes: TRIBES
1. Wonkamurra
2. Yandrawontha
3. Yowerawarrika
4. Barkunjee
5. Yoolanlanya
6. Yanindo
7. Yorrawinga
8. Goothanto
9. Ariba
10. Koogobathy
11. Goongarra
12. Owoikulla
13. Wallungarma
14. Barantee
15. Nahwangan
16. Warkeemon nation
17. Kogai-Yuipera
18. Mycoolon
19. Koonjan
20. Goonamon
21. Kangoollo
22. Dippil
23. Kooinmerburra
24. Inchalachee
25. Warkya
26. Yangarilla
27. Wahnyee
28. Yookala
29. Wombya
30. Ulperra nation
31. Neening
32. Jarroo
33. Munga
34. Warramonga
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Lower Wilson River
2. Coopers Creek
3. Diamantina River
4. Mulligan River
5. Saltpetre Creek
6. Pituri Creek
7. Upper Georgina River
8. Norman River
9. Yapper River
10. Speak Creek
11. Carron Creek
12. Staaten River
13. Nassau River
14. Einasleigh River
15. Lynd River
16. Woodstock Station
17. Gulf of Carpentaria
18. Flinders River
19. Gilbert River
20. Normanton
21. Lower Mitchell River
22. Alice River
23. Coleman River
24. Palmer River
25. Dawson
26. Arthurs Bluff
27. Rankine River
28. Georgina River
29. Barklays Tableland
30. Lake Sylvester
31. Nicholson River
32. Creswell Downs
33. Katherine River
34. Tennants Creek
35. Alice Springs
36. Victoria River
37. Daly River
38. Sturt Creek
39. Lander River
40. Barrows Creek
41. Anson Bay
42. Limmen Bight
43. Termination Lake
44. Wyndham
INFORMANTS
1. Mr. W. Beattie: 'In preparing the amended list of names of sections, and
rules of intermarriage of the Warramonga tribe, I wish to acknowledge the
willing help afforded by Mr. W. Beattie' (113).
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Articles on social organisation of tribes of Queensland (108).
2. Warkya and Wombya divisions, Royal Society of New South Wales (111-2).
3. Refers to Rev. L. Schulze's work on eight divisions only to refer to his
own: 'I tabulated this gentleman's investigations, with some modifications,
last year' (113).
4. Divisional systems (114).
RELATED ARTICLES
‘Australian Divisional Systems’ (1898)
‘The Group Divisions and Initiation Ceremonies of the Barkunjee Tribes’
(1898)
CROSS-REFERENCES
In ‘Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of Queensland’ (1905)
Mathews elaborated on the kinship system of the Inchalachee or Inchalanchee
tribe.
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 172
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1899
Title: Aboriginal Customs in North Queensland
Journal: Science of Man
Volume: 1 (new series)
Issue: 12
Pages: 262-64
Date: 21 January 1899
Keywords: Ceremonies - initiation
Kinship and marriage
Rock art
Sand and ground designs
Tree carvings
Abstract: This article appeared in Science of Man, a magazine
published by the Anthropological Association of Australasia. Mathews seems
to have regarded this publication less seriously than the scientific
journals in which he mostly published. In the bulk of his Science of Man
contributions he reworked material published elsewhere. This is true of this
publication, as Mathews acknowledges when he states that '[t]he foregoing
article was read at a meeting of the Royal Society of Queensland…and is now
revised and republished.' The article is brief and fairly general. The
material is organised under the following headings: 'Class Systems';
'Initiation Ceremonies'; 'Rock Pictures'; 'Ground Drawings'; and 'Marked
Trees'. (Refer to abstract of 'Aboriginal Customs in North Queensland'
[1897] for a more detailed account.) The article is accompanied by a
photograph of Aboriginal hand stencils on the Dawson River which did not
appear in the earlier publication. Mathews obtained the photo from B. W.
Palms, the owner of 'Cracow' Station on Cracow Creek, a tributary to the
Dawson.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kamilaroi
2. Wiradjuri
3. Mycoolon
4. Myappe
5. Kalkadoon
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Gulf of Carpentaria
2. Leichardt River
3. Cloncurry River
4. Flinders River
5. Norman River
6. Gilbert River
7. Mitchell River
8. Kennedy River
9. Cape York Peninsula
10. Princess Charlottes Bay
11. Main Dividing Range
12. Dawson River
13. Batavia River
14. Staater River
15. Cracow Station
16. Cracow Creek
17. Dawson River
INFORMANTS
1. 'an old blackfellow on the Dawson river who had seen the paintings done
when he was a youth' (263).
2. 'My friend, Mr. B. W. Palms, owner of Cracow Station, on Cracow Creek'
(264).
CORRESPONDENTS
1. 'My friend, Mr. B. W. Palms, owner of Cracow Station, on Cracow Creek'
(264).
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Photograph - Aboriginal rock drawings, Dawson River
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Work on Kamilaroi organisation (262).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'Aborignal Customs in North Queensland' (1897)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 196
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1899
Title: Native Tribes of Queensland
Journal: American Anthropologist
Volume: 1 (new series)
Pages: 595-97
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Abstract: This is a brief report which gives the masculine and
feminine forms of the eight section names used in the kinship system by
Aboriginal tribes in Queensland who occupy the Gulf of Carpentaria and
extend 'a long way inland'. Mathews argues that descent in this system is
determined matrilineally. The groups he designates 'A' and 'B' are
equivalent to the moieties of the Warramonga tribe which he has previously
described. He attributes the information published here to a settler
correspondent, R. H. Shadforth. In 'Sociology of some Australian Tribes'
(1905) Mathews modified his view that the Australian moieties are exogamous.
He requested that '[i]n any of my previous articles…in which it may be
stated that an aboriginal community comprises "two exogamous divisions," the
reader is requested to substitute "two principal divisions."'
Notes: TRIBES
1. Tribes in the northwestern corner of Queensland fronting the Gulf of
Carpentaria and extending inland for a long way.
2. Warramonga
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Northwestern corner of Queensland fronting the Gulf of Carpentaria
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Mr R. H. Shadforth
ILLUSTRATIONS
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. 'Australian Divisional Systems' (1898)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 64
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1900
Title: Divisions of the South Australian Aborigines
Journal: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society
Volume: 39
Pages: 78-93
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Abstract: This is the first Mathews article to deal exclusively with
the Aboriginal traditions of South Australia. He describes the marriage and
kinship systems of eight Aboriginal 'nations' within the colony: the
Parnkalla Nation; the Yowerawarrika Nation; the Barjunjee Nation; the
Adjadurah Nation; the Narrinyeri Nation; the Booandik Nation; the Kookatha
Nation; and the Andigarina Nation. Mathews defines Aboriginal nations as
'certain aggregates of tribes possessing the same divisional names and
practicing similar initiatory rites'. Through the use of tables, Mathews
names the phratries (moieties), the sections with phratries (where they
occur) and totemic names associated with the kinship system. The article is
illustrated by a map of South Australia which shows the boundaries of the
nations and the areas were subincision and circumcision are practised. This
map was the cause of controversy when, in 'Literature relating to Australian
Aborigines [Letter to the Editor]' (1907), Mathews accused A. W. Howitt of
reproducing it in his book Native Tribes of South-East Australia (1904). In
'Sociology of some Australian Tribes' (1905) Mathews modified his view that
the Australian moieties are exogamous. He requested that '[i]n any of my
previous articles…in which it may be stated that an aboriginal community
comprises "two exogamous divisions," the reader is requested to substitute
"two principal divisions."'
Notes: TRIBES
1. Parnkalla
2. Nukunna
3. Nauo
4. Nowo
5. Willeuroo
6. Kooapunda
7. Noocoona
8. Alury
9. Kooyeeunna
10. Eeleeree
11. Karraru
12. Hillary
13. Dieyerie
14. Kutchnamootha
15. Pulladapa
16. Ahminnie
17. Wonkaoora
18. Wonkamudla
19. Arrabunna
20. Andigarina
21. Kookatha nation
22. Kakarrura
23. Yallingarra
24. Yowerawarrika
25. Pilladapa
26. Wirramayo
27. Adelaide tribes
28. Narrinyeri nation
29. Barkunjee
30. Booandik
31. Geebera
32. Wirrunga
33. Yilrea
34. Warnabinnie
35. Loorudgee
36. Yorrawinga
37. Arrinda
38. Yandrawontha
39. Mullinchie
40. Kullally
41. Kooapinda
42. Willewroo
43. Nookoona
44. Kakkararu
45. Warnabirrie
46. Joongoonjee
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Murray River
2. Yorke Peninsula
3. Port Lincoln
4. Spencer Gulf
5. Port Augusta
6. Venus Bay
7. Koppawanata station
8. Yardea station
9. Franklin Harbour
10. Bundlear
11. Coonatto
12. Flinders Ranges
13. Crystal Brook
14. Lake Eyre
15. Turret Range
16. Chambers Creek
17. Screech-Owl creek
18. Lake Torrens
19. Nilpena Station
20. Willochra creek
21. Mount Freeling
22. Lake Frome
23. Lake Blanche
24. Lake Callabonna
25. Coopers Creek
26. Lake Hope
27. Kale Perigundi
28. Diamantina River
29. Lake Eyre
30. Goyders Lagoon
31. Kalamurina station
32. Cowarie station
33. Mungarane station
34. Berlino station
35. Macumba River
36. Alton Downs
37. Kallakoopa Creek
38. Annandale (station?)
39. Margaret Creek
40. Neale Creek
41. Peake Creek
42. Stuarts Range
43. Red Lake
44. Patchawarra Creek
45. Strzelecki Creek
46. Innamincka station
47. Tinga Tingana station
48. Kanowinna station
49. Ontoo station
50. Adelaide
51. Lacepede Bay
52. Cape Jervis
53. Darling River
54. Lake Phillipson
55. Mount Eba Station
56. Wilgena Station
57. Mount Finke
58. Lake Bring
59. Lake Gairdner
60. Gawler Ranges
61. Great Australian Bight
62. Musgrave Range
63. Alberga River
64. Petermann Ranges
65. Lake Amadeus
66. Macumba
67. Dalhousie
68. Charlotte Waters
69. Lower Finke River
70. Field River
71. Wodroffe River
72. Georgina River
73. Israelite Bay
74. Batavia River
75. Tilcha
INFORMANTS
1. 'old residents' around Parnkalla country (79).
2. 'A friend of mine who resided a long time on Willochra creek, in the
heart of the country occupied by the Alury tribe' (80).
3. 'old residents of that part of the country' - Yorke Peninsula (86).
4. 'natives of adjacent tribes' Yorke Peninsula (86).
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing - Map showing Divisions of South Australian Aborigines (91).
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Work on distribution of tribes in NSW, VIC and QLD (78).
2. Work on tribes of NSW, VIC, QLD (82).
3. Description of social organisation of Booandik nation (87).
4. Reference to a future article on the eight-section organisation of tribes
around Gulf of Carpentaria and Cambridge Gulf (90).
5. Circumcision rituals from NSW boundary to Gulf of Carpentaria (93).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'Literature relating to Australian Aborigines [Letter to the Editor]' (1907)
Phallic Rites and Initiation Ceremonies of the South Australian Aborigines
(1900)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 103
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1900
Title: Marriage and Descent among the Australian Aborigines
Journal: Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South
Wales
Volume: 34
Pages: 120-35
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Abstract: In this discussion of marriage and kinship systems, Mathews
argues that 'the social structure of a native Australian community' can be
organised in one of four ways:-
(1) The community is divided into two phratries (moieties) without any
further subdivision. This he calls the 'Parnkalla system'.
(2) The community is divided into two phratries (moieties), each of which is
divided into two sections to make a total of four sections per tribe. This
he calls the 'Kamilaroi system'.
(3) The community is divided into two phratries (moieties), each of which is
divided into four sections, to make a total of eight sections per tribe.
This he calls the 'Wombya system'.
(4) There are no strictly defined phratries or sections. Instead, marriages
are arranged by the elders of the tribe 'who are well acquainted with the
genealogy of the people around them.' This he calls the 'Tooar organisation'.
Each system is described in detail using tables and diagrams. Mathews also
describes the existence of '"alternative" marriages'-those that do not
conform to the standard rules, but are nonetheless sanctioned by the
community. The paper concludes with an appendix titled 'Some Tribes of Cape
York Peninsula, Queensland' in which Mathews describes the marriage and
kinship system of Aboriginal people around Mapoon. The data were supplied by
a correspondent, Rev. N. Hey. Various other ethnographic observations
follow, including sketchy information on totems, initiation, bullroarers and
message sticks. In 'Sociology of some Australian Tribes' (1905) Mathews
modified his view that the Australian moieties are exogamous. He requested
that '[i]n any of my previous articles…in which it may be stated that an
aboriginal community comprises "two exogamous divisions," the reader is
requested to substitute "two principal divisions."' In 'Notes on the Arranda
Tribe' (1907), Mathews corrected his account of how Arranda totems related
to the kinship system.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Parnkalla
2. Kamilaroi
3. Wombya
4. Yungmunnee
5. Charmong
6. Mungerry
7. Yookull
8. Hongalla
9. Koorungo
10. Yandigan
11. Merrikaba
12. Kowanatty
13. Gametty
14. Joonkoonjee
15. Tannagootee
16. Yeldivo
17. Kokinno
18. Kamdheu
19. Kookeealla
20. Dippil
21. Koombanggary
22. Koonjan
23. Warkeemon
24. Goothanto
25. Mykoolon
26. Kogai
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Elsey Creek
2. Katherine River
3. Roper River
4. Wilton River
5. Goyder River
6. Glydes Inlet
7. Arnheims land / Arnhemland
8. Cape York Peninsula
9. Batavia River
10. Pioneer Downs
INFORMANTS
1. Rev. N. Hey, of Mapoon (132).
2. 'and other gentlemen on the peninsula' (Cape York Peninsula) (132).
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Rev. N. Hey, of Mapoon? (132).
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Article on Tooar organisation (120 and 124).
2. Articles on initiation ceremonies of Kamilaroi, Dippil and Koombanggary
(133-4).
CROSS REFERENCES
In 'Notes on the Arranda tribe' (1907) Mathews revised statements made in
'Marriage and Descent among the Australian Aborigines' (1900) (this paper)
and 'Some Aboriginal Tribes of Western Australia' (1901). Mathews said he
had
Mathews gathered information from Mr. Innes, Mr. Stretch, Mr. Wilson and
other residents of those regions regarding the attachment of totems, and
accordingly revised his views. He concluded that totems were determined by
the locality where the mother first became aware of her pregnancy, as
reported in his work on the Chau-an tribe in this Journal, vol. XL, pp.
107-111. 'Notes on Some Native Tribes of Australia' (1906).
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 111
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1900
Title: Native Tribes of Western Australia
Journal: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society
Volume: 39
Pages: 123-25
Keywords: Ceremonies - initiation
Kinship and marriage
Subincision
Abstract: This brief contribution to the Proceedings of the American
Philosophical Society was Mathews' first publication to deal exclusively
with Western Australia. It describes the kinship and marriage system of 'the
native tribes sparsely distributed over the whole of that portion of western
Australia lying to the north of the twenty-eighth parallel of south
latitude.' He states that on the Murchison, Greenough, Sanford, Roderick,
Wooramel, Gascoyne and Lyons rivers, each tribe is divided into four
sections. In a table he names the sections and states which ones are
entitled to intermarry. The article concludes with some brief comments on
the areas where circumcision and subincision are practised. He also
describes how the inhabitants of desert areas scoop out a depression in the
sand in which they sleep. Mathews does not state how he obtained the
information presented in this article, but it is unlikely that it was
obtained from personal observation. There is no evidence that Mathews ever
visited Western Australia. In 'Sociology of some Australian Tribes' (1905)
Mathews modified his view that the Australian moieties are exogamous. He
requested that '[i]n any of my previous articles…in which it may be stated
that an aboriginal community comprises "two exogamous divisions," the reader
is requested to substitute "two principal divisions."'
Notes: TRIBES
1. Andikarina
2. Arrinda
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Coolgardie
2. Cue
3. Marble Bar
4. Kimberley
5. Murchison River
6. Greenough River
7. Sanford River
8. Roderick River
9. Wooramel River
10. Gascoyne River
11. Lyons River
12. Weld Spring
13. Bonython Creek
14. Lake Throssell
15. Elder Creek
16. Glen Cumming
17. Ashburton River
18. Fortescue River
19. Yule River
20. Shaw River
21. De Grey River
22. Oakover River
23. Fitzroy River
24. Ord River
25. Sturt Creek
26. Margaret River
27. Upper Fitzroy River
28. Geraldton
29. Onslow
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Previous work on tribes of northeastern corner of WA 'particulars of
whose divisions and the limits of their territory are described in papers
which I have communicated to different journals' (125).
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Reference Type: Journal Article**
Record Number: 120
Author: Mathews, R. H.; Everitt, M. M.
Year: 1900
Title: The Organisation, Language and Initiation Ceremonies of the
Aborigines of the South-East Coast of N. S. Wales
Journal: Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South
Wales
Volume: 34
Pages: 262-81
Keywords: Ceremonies - initiation
Kinship and marriage
Language elicitation
Abstract: This was the second of the two articles in which Mathews
collaborated with another author. It was co-written with Miss M. M. Everitt,
a Sydney schoolteacher with an interest in Aboriginal languages. The article
describes kinship and marriage systems, language, initiation ceremonies and
other customs of southeast New South Wales. Although informants from various
language groups were consulted, most of the data concern the Gundungurra
tribes who lived in the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands. The marriage
customs reported are unlike the moiety and section-based systems common
across most of Australia. The authors describe a practice of arranged
marriages similar to that which Mathews elsewhere described as the 'Tooar
organisation'. Gundungurra grammar is described in some detail. There is
also information on the 'Kudsha' or 'Narramang', an abridged form of
initiation ceremony. (Initiates then attend the 'Bunan', described in
Mathews' 1896 publication 'The Bunan Ceremony of New South Wales'.) Several
songs associated with the ceremony are transcribed. The following Aboriginal
informants assisted the authors: Jerry Murphy of Bega; Steve of Braidwood;
Budthong of the Shoalhaven; Timberry (usually spelled Timbery) of
Wollongong; Ned Carroll of Goulburn; the late Jimmy Lownds; and Billy
Russell and Bessie Smith, both of the Burragorang. It is probable that
Everitt provided the linguistic material while Mathews provided data on
initiations and other customs. An erratum to this article appeared in volume
35 of the Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales
which indicates that Everitt did not accompany Mathews on camping trip(s) to
the Burragorang Valley.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Gundungurra language
2. Dharrook dialect
3. Wiradjuri
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Hawkesbury River, NSW
2. Cape Howe, NSW
3. Blue Mountains, NSW
4. Hartley, NSW
5. Crookwell, NSW
6. Yass, NSW
7. Kiandra, NSW
8. Cooma, NSW
9. Braidwood, NSW
10. Bega, NSW
11. Shoalhaven, NSW
12. Wollongong, NSW
13. Goulbourn, NSW
14. Burragorang, on the Wollondilly River
15. Picton
16. Crockwell
17. Campbelltown, NSW
18. Liverpool, NSW
19. Camden, NSW
20. Sydney, NSW
INFORMANTS
1. 'a large number of different natives' (262).
2. 'Jerry Murphy', 'a native of Bega, and also a resident for many years at
Cooma' (262).
3. 'Steve' of Braidwood (262).
4. 'Budthong' of Shoalhaven (262).
5. 'Timberry' of Wollongong (262).
6. 'Ned Carroll' of Goulburn (262).
7. 'many others including some old women' (262).
8. 'Billy Russell', one of the natives of Burragorang (263).
9. 'Bessie Smith', one of the natives of Burragorang (263).
10. 'A very old blackfellow, named 'Jimmy Lownds,' only recently deceased'
(265).
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. State that some errors in orthography 'will receive attention in a future
article' (276).
2. Mathews cheekily manages to slip in a reference to his own work on the
Bunan: '[t]he foregoing is a very brief outline of the initiation
ceremonies, the reader being referred for fuller details to the article on
the Bunan, written by one of us in 1896' (280).
CROSS-REFERENCES
The next issue, volume 35 of the Journal and Proceedings of the Royal
Society of New South Wales contained a correction to this article indicating
that Mathews alone camped in the Burragorang. It reads: 'Page 263, insert
after 'and,' and before 'camped' on line 2, 'one of us [R. H. Mathews]
having.'
RELATED ARTICLES
'The Bunan Ceremony of New South Wales' (1896)
'The Origin, Organization and Ceremonies of the Australian Aborigines'
(1900).
'The Gundungurra Language' (1901).
'The Thurrawal Language' (1901).
'Some Mythology of the Gundungurra Tribe, New South Wales' (1908).
'Some Rock Engravings of the Aborigines of New South Wales' (1910).
Thurrawal Grammar: Part I (1901)
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Reference Type: Journal Article**
Record Number: 123
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1900
Title: The Origin, Organization and Ceremonies of the Australian
Aborigines
Journal: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society
Volume: 39
Pages: 556-78
Keywords: Aboriginal settlement of Australia
Ceremonies - initiation
Circumcision
Kinship and marriage
Subincision
Territories and boundaries
Abstract: This is a significant article that synthesises and
interprets much of the data on kinship and initiation that Mathews had
published since 1893. Considering the entire Australian continent, Mathews
provides a speculative account of the arrival of the 'aboriginal races of
Australia', proposing that the various moieties and sections were once
separate tribes that amalgamated during successive periods of invasion. He
argues that aspects of this history are also reflected in the initiatory
rites. The article is a considered rebuttal of the 'group marriage' theory,
favoured by Mathews' rivals W. B. Spencer, A. W. Howitt and Lorimer Fison.
The article is accompanied by an important colour map that shows the
position of various Aboriginal 'nations' (defined as groupings that share
the same kinship systems and names). The map shows the distribution of the
two section marriage system as well as the four and eight part systems. It
also shows those 'remnant' nations that do not have sections or phratries,
instead using the 'Tooar' system of allocating spouses. The map also reveals
the boundaries of the various initiatory rites: tooth avulsion; circumcision
only; and circumcision followed by subincision. In 'Sociology of some
Australian Tribes' (1905) Mathews modified his view that the Australian
moieties are exogamous. He requested that '[i]n any of my previous
articles…in which it may be stated that an aboriginal community comprises
"two exogamous divisions," the reader is requested to substitute "two
principal divisions."'
Notes: TRIBES
1. Barkunjee
2. Yowerawarrika
3. Warkeemon community (also Warkemon?)
4. Wombya
5. Inchalachee
6. Wiradjuri
7. Kamilaroi
8. Darkinung
9. Thangatty
10. Dippil
11. Kooinmerburra
12. Kogai
13. Mycoolon
14. Goothanto
15. Koonjan
16. Joongonnjie
17. Arrinda
18. Yeeda
19. Ulperra
20. Adjadurah
21. Narrinyeri
22. Kurnai
23. Thurrawal
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Port Lincoln
2. Western Victoria
3. Barwon River and its tributaries
4. Southwest (?) corner of Queensland
5. Victoria River
6. Gulf of Carpentaria
7. Newcastle Waters in the Northern Territory
8. Spencer Gulf
9. Lower Murray River
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Rev. N. Hey 'for his willing assistance' (576)
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Map of Australia, showing boundaries of the several nations of Australia.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Refers to work on organisation of Warkeemon community in north-eastern
Queensland, 1898 (564).
2. Refers to work on organisation (specifically having discovered the eight
divisions) of Wombya tribe (565-6).
3. Mentions having contributed to descriptions of initiation ceremonies to
'different learned societies' (570).
CROSS-REFERENCES
In 'The Bora of the Kamilaroi Tribes' (1896) he says: […].' (153)
In 'Marriage and Descent in the Arranda Tribe, Central Australia' (1908) on
p. 99 (note) Mathews accused N. W. Thomas of plagiarising from the map in
this article in Kinship Organization and Group Marriage (1906).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'The Wombya Organization of the Australian Aborigines' (1900)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 159
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1900
Title: The Wombya Organization of the Australian Aborigines
Journal: American Anthropologist
Volume: 2 (new series)
Pages: 494-501
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Abstract: This article describes the kinship and marriage
organisation of the Aboriginal communities residing in the northern and
central parts of the Northern Territory and extending into the adjoining
northerly areas of Western Australia and Queensland. This large area
contains a great many tribal groupings which are identified on a map with
accompanying notes. Mathew gives this kinship system the general name 'Wombya
Organisation' because of its similarity to that of the Wombya tribe whose
sectional divisions were 'accurately reported and described' himself in the
article 'Divisions of Australian Tribes' (1898). Mathews does not explain
how he gathered the information presented in this article, but it was almost
certainly obtained with the aid of white correspondents. He says that
communities with the Wombya Organisation are divided into two exogamous
phratries (or moieties). Each phratry is divided into four sections, making
eight sections in total. Marriage is only permitted between members of
designated sections. Totems, consisting of animals, plants and inanimate
objects, are attached to certain pairs of sections. Mathews says that 'these
totems descend generally from a father to his sons and daughters, but this
rule is subject to modification.' In his 1908 article 'Marriage and Descent
in the Arranda Tribe, Central Australia' Mathews revised his views on
totemism in this part of the country. In 'Divisions of Some West Australian
Tribes' (1900) Mathews reported that the Wombya Organisation occurs more
extensively in Western Australia than he had previously realised. In
'Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of Queensland' (1905) Mathews
amended the table on page 498 of this article. In 'Sociology of some
Australian Tribes' (1905) Mathews modified his view that the Australian
moieties are exogamous. He requested that '[i]n any of my previous
articles…in which it may be stated that an aboriginal community comprises
"two exogamous divisions," the reader is requested to substitute "two
principal divisions."'
Notes: TRIBES
1. Wombya
2. Chingalee
3. Inchalachee
4. Warkya
5. Yookala
6. Karrawar
7. Wonyee
8. Yangarilla
9. Yanyular
10. Willangan
11. Binbingha
12. Yuggamurra
13. Yungmanni
14. Koodangie
15. Koorangie
16. Mudburra
17. Tooinbol
18. Geelowng
19. Oolwunga
20. Wartaman
21. Hallurra
22. Nigena
23. Keha
24. Lunga
25. Mayoo
26. Meening
27. Jarroo
28. Munga
29. Ulperra
30. Illyowra
31. Warramonga
32. Kaitish
33. Wolpirra
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Creswell Creek, NT
2. Burnett Creek, NT
3. Corella Downs, NT
4. Eva Downs, NT
5. Beetalo Downs, NT
6. Walhollow Downs, NT
7. Gregory River
8. Georgina River
9. Camooweal
10. Lake Sylvester
11. Gulf of Carpentaria
12. Calvert River
13. Nicholson River
14. Roper River
15. McArthur River
16. Upper Victoria River
17. Lower Victoria River
18. Ord River
19. Fitzroy River
20. Margaret River
21. Sturt Creek
22. Tennants Creek
23. Alice Springs
24. Adelaide
25. Port Darwin
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Map.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Refers to having already described the particulars of intermarrying
divisions of Koorangie, Mudburra and Tooinbol tribes (498).
2. Refers to having already described the particulars of the eight sections
of Geelowng, Oolwunga, Wartaman and Hallurra tribes (498).
3. Refers to having already described the particulars of the eight sections
of Nigena, Keha, Lunga and Mayoo tribes (498).
4. Refers to having already described the particulars of intermarrying
divisions and the names of sections of Ulperra, Illyowra, Warramonga,
Kaitish and Wolpirra tribes (499).
CROSS-REFERENCES
On p. 102 of 'Marriage and Descent in the Arranda Tribe, Central Australia'
Mathews retracted views expressed in this article. In 'The Wombya
Organization of the Australian Aborigines' (1900) he reported on the totems
in areas of Sturt creek and adjacent country in the Northern Territory and
Western Australia. The information was supplied by Mr Stretch, Mr Wilson and
other residents. He now concludes 'that the totems are not definitely
attached to the pairs of sections mentioned in my paper, nor yet to the
quartettes of sections, but are dispersed through the tribal territory.'
Repeats his opinion that the totem is determined by the locality where the
mother became aware she was pregnant.
In ‘Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of Queensland’ (1905)
Mathews amended the table on page 498 of this article.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'Divisions of Australian tribes' (1898)
‘Divisions of Some West Australian Tribes’ (1900)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 190
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1900
Title: Divisions of Some West Australian Tribes
Journal: American Anthropologist
Volume: 2 (new series)
Pages: 185-87
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Abstract: This is a brief report concerning the eight-section kinship
and marriage system that Mathews had previously called the 'Wombya
Organisation'. In earlier articles Mathews had stated that this form of
social organisation was operative through much of the Northern Territory and
part of Queensland. He is now convinced that it also exists 'among some
large and important tribes in West Australia.' These include the communities
around the Ord, Denham, King, Forrest and other rivers, and the country
drained by Stirling Creek, Sturt Creek, Margaret River and sections of the
Fitzroy River. In a table he states the eight section names and indicates
which sections are permitted to intermarry. In 'Sociology of some Australian
Tribes' (1905) Mathews modified his view that the Australian moieties are
exogamous. He requested that '[i]n any of my previous articles…in which it
may be stated that an aboriginal community comprises "two exogamous
divisions," the reader is requested to substitute "two principal
divisions."'
Notes: TRIBES
1. Lunga
2. Keha
3. Perrakee
4. Mayu
5. Goonien
6. Nigena
7. Booneba
8. Jarrou
9. Wolmaharry
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Cambridge Gulf
2. Ord River
3. Dehham River
4. King River
5. Forrest River
6. Stirling Creek
7. Sturt Creek
8. Margaret River
9. Fitzroy River
10. Minnie Pool
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. 'Divisions of Australian Tribes', Am. Phil. Soc, vol 37, pp. 131-54
[sic]. Actually 151-54.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
‘Divisions of Australian Tribes’ (1898)
‘The Wombya Organization of the Australian Aborigines’ (1900)
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Reference Type: Journal Article**
Record Number: 68
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1900-01
Title: Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of the Northern
Territory
Journal: Queensland Geographical Journal
Volume: 16
Pages: 69-90
Keywords: Cannibalism
Ceremonies - initiation
Circumcision
Kinship and marriage
Language elicitation
Rock art
Subincision
Technology - implements/tools
Abstract: Like many of the Mathews articles titled 'Ethnological
Notes…', this is a mixed bag of ethnographic data. Referring to a succession
of six tables, Mathews firstly describes kinship and marriage organisation
in various parts of the Northern Territory. He then describes initiatory
customs including circumcision, subincision […]. There are also descriptions
of hunting, fishing, food gathering and notes concerning aspects of material
culture including waterbags, containers, rock paintings, rock carvings and
burial customs. In addition, Mathews remarks on shamanism and cannibalism.
The data were not collected personally, but supplied to him by 'friends who
have resided in that part of the country'. He also cites the work of various
other writers including W. E. Roth and Spencer and Gillen. The article
includes a 210 word vocabulary of the language of the Chingalee tribe. There
is also an appendix titled 'Aboriginal Rock Carvings' which describes rock
art around the Burnett River, Queensland, one of which was cut from the rock
by a resident and sent to Mathews. In 'Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal
Tribes of Western Australia' (1903-04) Mathews made a minor correction to
page 70 of this article. In 'Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of
Queensland' (1905) Mathews made alterations to Table 1 of this article. In
'Sociology of some Australian Tribes' (1905) Mathews modified his view that
the Australian moieties are exogamous. He requested that '[i]n any of my
previous articles…in which it may be stated that an aboriginal community
comprises "two exogamous divisions," the reader is requested to substitute
"two principal divisions."' In 'Vocabulary of the Ngarrugu Tribe N. S. W.'
(1908) Mathews acknowledges there were 'some clerical errors' in the table
given on page 73 of his article 'Australian Divisional Systems' (1898). The
correct table appears on page 74 of this paper.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Chingalee
2. Mayoo
3. Jeelowng
4. Neening
5. Jaroo
6. Munga
7. Moodburra
8. Kangarraga
9. Cheeal
10. Tewinbol
11. Bilyanarra
12. Wartaman
13. Oolawunga
14. Muttangulla
15. Kwaranjee
16. Koodanjee
17. Wanyee
18. Kurrawar
19. Yookala
20. Warramonga
21. Yorrawinga
22. Yoolanlanya
23. Yanindo
24. Arrinda
25. Andigarina
26. Loorudgie
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. MacDonnell Ranges
2. Alice Springs
3. Finke River
4. Davenport Range
5. Macumba River
6. Daly Waters
7. Powells Creek
8. Elsey Creek
9. Negri River
10. Behm River
11. Sturts Creek
12. Stirling Creek
13. Sturt Creek
14. Victoria River
15. Ord River
16. Fitzmaurice River
17. Flora River
18. Newcastle Waters
19. Upper Roper River
20. Katherine River
21. Goyder River
22. Gulf of Carpentaria
23. Rankine River
24. Georgina River
25. Elkedra
26. Alroy Downs
27. Tennants Creek
28. Upper Georgina River
29. Woodroffe River
30. Field River
31. Hay River
32. Port Darwin
33. Liverpool River
34. Lake Amadeus
35. Roper River
36. Gordon Creek
37. Jasper Creek
38. Valley of Springs Station
39. Limmen River
40. Mount Thomas
41. Mount John
42. Mount Charles
43. Mount David
44. Birdum Creek
45. Delamere
46. Gregory Creek
47. Wickham River
48. Auvergne on the Baines
49. Camfield Creek
50. Playford Creek
51. Cresswell Creek
52. Calvert River
53. McArthur River
54. Hodgson River
55. Strangways River
56. Burnett River
57. Parish of South Kolan
58. County of Cook
59. Pine Creek
INFORMANTS
1. 'friends who have resided in that part of the country' (69).
2. Mr. Michael Costello (82).
3. 'a friend' (90).
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. States that he is 'now engaged in obtaining particulars of the tongues
spoken in different parts of the Northern Territory, which I hope to submit
to this Society on an early date' (69).
2. Refers to having described 'the social organisation of all the different
communities' of South Australia (75).
3. States that he contributed in 1894 an article to this journal on
'Aboriginal Rock Pictures of Australia' (90).
CROSS-REFERENCES
In ‘Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of Western Australia’
(1903-04) Mathews makes the following correction to the fouth line from the
bottom of page 70: 'after the word "Nambitijana," add "or Chapota and Nemira,
or Changary and Nhermana." These words were inadvertently omitted.'
In ‘Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of Queensland’ (1905)
Mathews made alterations to Table 1 of this article.
In 'Vocabulary of the Ngarrugu Tribe N. S. W.' (1908) Mathews acknowledges
there were 'some clerical errors' in the table given on page 73 of the
article 'Australian Divisional Systems' (1898). The correct table appears on
page 74 of this paper.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'Some Rock Pictures and Ceremonial Stones of the Australian Aborigines'
(1910) repeated description of Burnett River carvings and their partial
removal.
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