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KINSHIP AND SOCIETY 1909 - 1912

    Contents

 

  Rec. no. Title
  54. The Dhudhuroa Language of Victoria - 1909
  167. Sociology of some Australian Tribes - 1909
  170. The Kumbainggeri, Turrubul, Kaiabara, and Mycoolon Tribes, Australia - 1909
  181. The Wallaroo and the Willy-Wagtail: A Queensland Folk-Tale - 1909
  82. Initiation Ceremonies of some Queensland Tribes - 1909-10
  116. Notes on Some Tribes of Western Australia - 1909-10
  55. 'The Bundandaba Ceremony of Initiation in Queensland' (transl.) - 1910
  65. Does Exogamy Exist in Australian Tribes? - 1910
  92. Language and Sociology of the Kumbaingerri Tribe, New South Wales - 1910
  187. Matrilineal Descent in the Kaiabara Tribe, Queensland - 1911
  115. Notes on some published Statements with regard to the Australian Aborigines - 1912
  184. Matrilineal Descent in the Arranda and Chingalee Tribes - 1912
 

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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 54
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1909
Title: The Dhudhuroa Language of Victoria
Journal: American Anthropologist
Volume: 11 (new series)
Pages: 278-84
Keywords: Language elicitation
Kinship and marriage


Abstract: This article is one of more than 20 publications documenting Aboriginal languages that Mathews published between 1900 and 1910. Mathews adopted a formula in his linguistic writings, using a template when documenting grammar and vocabulary. In this paper Mathews describes Dhudhuroa, the language spoken in Victoria by the Dyinningmiddhang tribe who reside along the Mitta Mitta and Kiewa rivers, and along the Murray valley from Albury to Jingellic. Mathews states that the tribes occupying the Buffalo, King, Ovens and Broken rivers speak Minyambuta, a dialect of Dhudhuroa. Mathews does not state how he obtained the information in this article. In describing the grammatical structure of Dhudhuroa, Mathews arranges his material under the following headings/sub-headings: 'Nouns' (including sections on 'Number', 'Gender', 'Case'); 'Adjectives'; 'Pronouns'; 'Verbs'; 'Adverbs'; 'Prepositions'; 'Interjections and Exclamations'; and 'Numerals'. The article concludes with a section headed 'Vocabulary' which contains about 235 English words, followed by their equivalents in Dhudhuroa.The words are arranged under the following headings: 'Family Terms'; 'The Human Body'; 'Inanimate Nature'; 'Mammals'; 'Birds'; 'Fishes'; 'Reptiles'; 'Invertebrates'; 'Trees'; 'Weapons'; 'Adjectives'; and 'Verbs'.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Dyinningmiddhang
2. Dhudhoroa language
3. Minyambuta dialect
4. Walgalu
5. Dyirringan
6. Wiradjuri

LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Mitta Mitta River
2. Kiewa River
3. Murray Valley
4. Albury
5. Jingellic
6. Buffalo River
7. Kings River
8. Ovens River
9. Broken River
10. Nimmatabel
11. Bega

INFORMANTS
Not applicable.

CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.

ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.

REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Dyirringan grammar 1902, Royal Society of New South Wales (278).
2. Dyirringan initiation ceremony 1896, Anthropological Society of Washington (278).
3. Dyinningmiddhand and Minyambuta initiation ceremony 1904, Royal Society of New South Wales (278).
4. Minyambuta descent, Royal Society of New South Wales (278).
 

 

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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 167
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1909
Title: Sociology of some Australian Tribes
Journal: American Antiquarian
Volume: 31
Pages: 206-13
Keywords: Kinship and marriage


Abstract: The Australian anthropologist A. W. Howitt had published criticism of Mathews' work under the title 'The Native Tribes of Southeast Australia' (1908) in volume 30 of American Antiquarian. This article is a spirited rebuttal of that critique. Howitt had taken issue with Mathews' reporting of 'irregular' Aboriginal marriages-alliances that diverged from the standard rules of kinship, but which were nonetheless tolerated by the community. Howitt claimed that Mathews was not reporting ancient customs, but innovations introduced since the arrival of Europeans. Howitt claimed that the Aboriginal tribes of the areas long settled by Europeans were in steep decline and that Mathews had started too late in his research to acquire data of genuine significance. Responding to these allegations, Mathews convincingly supports his case for irregular marriages by citing data published by William Ridley in 1866. Mathews emphasises his credentials as a direct observer in New South Wales and makes pointed criticism of remarks Howitt had made about the status of marriage customs in the Murawarri community in northwest New South Wales. Mathews had made three visits to Murawarri country in the past decade, whereas Howitt relied on data from a single Aboriginal informant, relayed to him by a white correspondent. Howitt had died in 1908, so he could not respond to this article. Mathews, however, continued to publish criticism of Howitt. See 'Does Exogamy Exist in Australian Tribes?' (1910).
Notes: TRIBES
1. Murawarri
2. Kurnu
3. Mycoolon
4. Kumbainggeri
5. Kaiabara
6. Chepara
7. Turrubul
8. Karamundi nation
9. Milpulko
10. Dippil

LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Darling River
2. Birie River
3. Culgoa River
4. Bokara River
5. Narran River
6. Bunya Bunya Mountains
7. Great Sandy Island
8. Brisbane
9. Port Curtis
10. Pine River
11. Wilcannia
12. MacKay

INFORMANTS
1. 'several old men and women in different parts of the Kamilaroi country, who knew the tribal laws well' (212).

CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.

ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.

REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Phratry names 1905 (206).
2. Murawarri grammar and vocabulary 1902 (206).
3. 1898. Kamilaroi descent through the mother (207).
4. 1897. Kumbainggeri divisions (207).
5. 1900. Kumbainggeri divisions (207).
6. 1898-1907. Different articles on sections and totems (208).
7. 1898. Turrubul matrilineal descent (See 'other notes') (208).
8. 1907. Turrubul cycle and section names (208).
9. 1894. Kamilaroi sociology (210).
10. 1898. Turrubul sociology (210).
11. 1897. Work which confirmed Rev. William Ridley's conclusions, 'being the result of my own personal enquiries among the Kamilaroi people during a number of years' (211).
12. 1896. Kamilaroi initiation ceremonies (212).
13. 1903. Kamilaroi grammar (212).
14. Since 1894. Kamilaroi sociology (212).

RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'The Totemistic System in Australia' (1906)
‘The Kumbainggeri, Turrubul, Kaiabara, and Mycoolon Tribes, Australia’ (1909)
'Does Exogamy Exist in Australian Tribes?' (1909)
 

 

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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 170
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1909
Title: The Kumbainggeri, Turrubul, Kaiabara, and Mycoolon Tribes, Australia
Journal: Science
Volume: 30
Issue: 778
Pages: 759-60
Keywords: Kinship and marriage


Abstract: This short article was Mathews' sole contribution to the American magazine Science. It addresses A. W. Howitt's complete failure to acknowledge any of his own publications in The Native Tribes of South-East Australia (1904). Matthews cites examples of his own work concerning the Kumbainggeri, Turrubul, Kaiabara, and Mycoolon tribes, which predate the publication of Howitt's book. He shows how his own reports, particularly those concerning the predominance of matrilineal descent of the marriage customs, were systematically ignored.
Notes:
TRIBES
1. Kumbainggeri
2. Kombaingheri
3. Turrubul
4. Kaiabara
5. Mycoolon
6. Kamilaroi
7. Chepara

LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Bellinger River
2. Point Danger
3. Brisbane River
4. Pine River
5. Blackall Ranges
6. Bunya Bunya Ranges
7. Cloncurry River

INFORMANTS
Not applicable.

CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.

ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.

REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. 1897 and 1900. Four intermarrying sections of Kumbainggeri (759).
2. 1898 Kumbainggeri Burbung (759).
3. 1900 Murrawin preliminary initiation ceremony (759).
4. 1903 grammar and vocabulary of Kumbainggeri language (759).
5. 1898 Turrubul divisions (760).
6. 1898 Mycoolon matrilineal descent (see 'other notes') (760).

RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'Sociology of Some Australian Tribes' (1909)
'Sociology of Aboriginal Tribes in Australia' (1905)
'Does Exogamy Exist in Australian Tribes?' (1909)
 

 

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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 181
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1909
Title: The Wallaroo and the Willy-Wagtail: A Queensland Folk-Tale
Journal: Folk-Lore
Volume: 20
Pages: 214-16
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Stories & motifs


Abstract: This two-and-a-half page story was personally collected by Mathews from Aboriginal people near the upper Condamine River in Queensland. It concerns an old, infirm wallaroo who gains the sympathy of passersby and then kills them with his boomerang. Eventually he is killed by the willy wagtail who cunningly outwits him. By way of reward the willy wagtail becomes a chief man and acquires four young wives. The elders decide that in future, no man when hunting should travel alone. The story includes some interesting ethnographic detail including the section names of the characters.
Notes: TRIBES
1. People near the Upper Condamine River, Queensland

LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Upper Condamine River, QLD

INFORMANTS
Not applicable.

CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.

ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
 

 

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Reference Type: Journal Article**
Record Number: 82
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1909-10
Title: Initiation Ceremonies of some Queensland Tribes
Journal: Queensland Geographical Journal
Volume: 25
Pages: 103-18
Keywords: Ceremonial objects - Bullroarers
Ceremonies - initiation
Sand and ground designs
Kinship and marriage


Abstract: This article describes two ceremonies associated with male initiation. One is known as the Toara. The other is the Bundandaba, the final rite in becoming a man. The ceremonies were practised by tribes in southern Queensland 'situated along the coast from the boundary of New South Wales northerly, to the vicinity of Port Curtis, extending inland to comprise a zone from 150 to 200 miles wide'. This is the area drained by the Burnett, Mary, Brisbane, and other rivers, as well as the valley of the Dawson and upper Condamine River. The ceremonies had apparently fallen into disuse by the time Mathews gathered descriptions of them from 'old natives' who recalled the details. The ceremonies do not appear to have involved any bodily modification. Proceedings occurred in […] the forest […]. The article mentions some other customs of the region and briefly describes the kinship system. Mathews also discussed these ceremonies in the following papers: 'The Toara Ceremony of the Dippil Tribes of Queensland' (1900) and 'Die Bundandaba-Zeremonie in Queensland' (1910).
Notes: LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Port Curtis
2. Burnett River
3. Mary Rivver
4. Brisbane River
5. Dawson River valley
6. Condamine River

INFORMANTS
1. 'old natives' (103).
2. 'native informants' (103).

CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.

ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.

REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. States that '[n]othing was known of the toara ceremony until 1900, when I published a short account ... ' (118).
2. Mathews refers to brief report he furnished to the Anthropological Society of Vienna in 1909 as being the 'first and only notice of the bundandaba ceremony' (118).

RELATED PUBLICATIONS
‘The Toara Ceremony of the Dippil Tribes of Queensland’ (1900).
‘Die Bundandaba-Zeremonie in Queensland’ (1910).
 

 

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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 116
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1909-10
Title: Notes on Some Tribes of Western Australia
Journal: Queensland Geographical Journal
Volume: 25
Pages: 119-36
Keywords: Kinship and marriage
Language elicitation
Stories & motifs


Abstract: In this overview of Western Australian Aboriginal traditions, Mathews describes language, marriage and kinship customs, folklore and 'superstitions'. The article is unusual in that Mathews names a great many of the white settlers who supplied information by letter. He says at the beginning that data were collected with the assistance of correspondents, thereby implying that he has never visited Western Australia himself. Other information is drawn from previously published sources. The linguistic description, which includes grammar and vocabulary, concerns the language spoken in more than half of Western Australia. Mathews does not give the name of the language. He states that the information was 'condensed and re-arranged' from material published by Mr Symmons (spelled Simmons in some other Western Australian publications). It thus duplicates the linguistic material Mathews had published in 'Some Native Languages of Western Australia: Part I' (1908). The article is accompanied by a map which shows the boundaries of different forms of social organisation and the areas where circumcision and subincision are practised as part of the initiation rites. While the custom of the community being divided into two moieties and four sections was common throughout most of the state, in a narrow strip of country from Dongarra to Exmouth Gulf marriages were arranged according to the 'tu-or' (which Mathews previously spelled as 'Tooar') system of arranged marriages. In other communities-those in which each moiety was divided into two sections-'irregular' or 'alternative' marriages were possible. Such marriages did not conform to the normal marriage regulations, but were nonetheless tolerated by the community. The article sheds some light on Mathews' relationship with the ethnologist Daisy Bates. His attitude is apparently respectful since he states that he is awaiting the publication of her 'general account of the aborigines of Western Australia'. The parts of this article published under the headings 'Folklore' and 'Some Customs and Superstitions' replicate material previously published in 'Folklore Notes from Western Australia' (1909).
Notes: TRIBES
1. Loritya
2. Chingalee


LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Kalgoorlie
2. Cue
3. Marble Bar
4. Kimberley
5. Blyth
6. Tomkinson ranges
7. Lake Macdonald
8. King George's Sound
9. Roebourne
10. Erlistoun
11. Esperance bay
12. Blyth Ranges
13. Menzies
14. Condon
15. Broome
16. Derby
17. Fraser River Station
18. Hillside
19. Yeeda Station
20. Lower Fitzroy River
21. Joanna Spring
22. Petermann Ranges
23. Malcolm
24. Lake Wells
25. Mount Margaret gold field
26. Milly Milly on the Murchison
27. Nicol Bay
28. Fortescue River
29. Ashburton River
30. Gascoyne River
31. Murchison River
32. Sanford River
33. Balmoral
34. Nantura
35. Milly Milly
36. Braeside
37. Dongarra
38. Exmouth Gulf
39. Albany WA
40. Port Lincoln SA
41. Talata Station WA
42. Eucla WA
43. Sturt Creek
44. Ord River
45. Upper Fitzroy River
46. Durack River
47. Calder River
48. Drysdale River
49. Hall's Creek
50. Denison Downs
51. Koojoobrin
52. Busseltown
53. Cape Chatham
54. Mt. Johnston
55. Bridgetown
56. Mount Barker

INFORMANTS
1. Mr. J. C. Rose, Fraser River Station (128).
2. Mr. J. Wilson, Derby (128).
3. Mr. J. G. Withnell, Hillside (128).
4. A. E. Clifton, Yeeda Station (128). 'Mr. Clifton, in addition, supplied me with 125 words spoken on the Lower Fitzroy River' (128).
5. Mr. K. Young, in dealing with the Erlistoun community (129).
6. Mr. D. Connors, in dealing with the Erlistoun community (129).
7. Mr. D. Stewart, Balmoral (129).
8. Mr. W. G. Learmonth, Nantura (129).
9. Mr. Edward Smith, Milly Milly (129).
10. Mr. J. T. Hodgson, Braeside (129).
11. 'and others' (129).
12. 'the Manager of Yalata Station' (131).
13. Mr. J. Wilson, Hall's Creek (132).
14. Mr. Stretch, Denison Downs, Sturt Creek (132).
15. Mr. J. C. booty, Koojoobrin (132).
16. 'and others' (132).
17. 'an old resident of the [Albany and Busseltown] district' (132).
18. Mr. Thos. Muir, J.P., of Deeside Station (134).

CORRESPONDENTS
1. Mr. J. C. Rose, Fraser River Station (128).
2. Mr. J. Wilson, Derby (128).
3. Mr. J. G. Withnell, Hillside (128).
4. A. E. Clifton, Yeeda Station (128).
5. Mr. K. Young (129).
6. Mr. D. Connors (129).
7. Mr. D. Stewart, Balmoral (129).
8. Mr. W. G. Learmonth, Nantura (129).
9. Mr. Edward Smith, Milly Milly (129).
10. Mr. J. T. Hodgson, Braeside (129).
11. 'the Manager of Yalata Station' (131).
12. Mr. J. Wilson, Hall's Creek (132).
13. Mr. Stretch, Denison Downs, Sturt Creek (132).
14. Mr. J. C. booty, Koojoobrin (132).
15. Mr. Thos. Muir, J.P., of Deeside Station (134).

ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing - Map of Western Australia (136).

REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. 1907 grammar and vocabulary of Loritya (120).
2. Erlistoun vocabulary (120).
3. 1903 vocabulary of Roebourne dialect (120).
4. Chingalee divisions (129).
5. 1900 divisions on the Upper Murchison (130).
6. 1900 marriage systems (130).
7. 1904 descent (see 'other notes') (131).
8. 1907 descent (131).

RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'Folklore Notes from Western Australia' (1909) contains the five legends and other data reproduced here.
In 'Some Native Languages of Western Australia' (1908) Mathews rearranges Symmons' 1842 linguistic data in essentially the same manner.
 

 

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Reference Type: Journal Article**
Record Number: 55
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1910
Title: Die Bundandaba-Zeremonie in Queensland
Journal: Mitteilungen der Anthropologischen Gesellschaft
Volume: 40
Pages: 44-47
Date: 1910
Keywords: Cannibalism
Ceremonial objects - Bullroarers
Ceremonies - initiation
Kinship and marriage


Abstract: 'The Bundandaba Ceremony of Initiation in Queensland' (transl.) is one of nine articles Mathews published in German. It appeared in Mitteilungen der Anthropologischen Gesellschaft, a leading anthropological journal published in Vienna. While Mathews seems to have had a basic knowledge of French and German, there is no evidence that he could write professionally in either language. Although no translator is credited in any of the German articles, the existence of translator's comments in the published footnotes establish conclusively that someone other than the author translated the text from English into German. In 2004 the published German article was translated back into English by Christine Winter for inclusion in the Mirranen Archive. This was done with reference to a draft manuscript by Mathews (in English), held by the National Library of Australia (NLA MS 8006/5/4). The article is concerned with an initiation ceremony known as the bundandaba which occurs in the area of Southern Queensland 'situated along the coast from the boundary of New South Wales northerly to the vicinity of Port Curtis, extending inland to comprise a zone from 150 miles to 200 miles wide'. This, Mathews explains, is the territory 'drained by the Burnett, Mary, Brisbane and other rivers, as well as the Valley of the Dawson and upper portions of Condamine River'. The men of this region practise two forms of initiatory rite. The bundandaba is the second and final stage of male initiation. It is preceded by the toara, which Mathews had written about in 'The Toara Ceremony of the Dippil Tribes of Queensland' (1900). Mathews states that no description of the bundandaba had been published previously. This would have been true at the time of writing, although a description very similar to this was published as part of the article 'Initiation Ceremonies of some Queensland Tribes' (1909-10). Mathews says that the data reported here were 'obtained by me direct from the mouths of old natives of the region…who had themselves passed through all the stages of the bundandaba ceremony'. He explains that the bundandaba occurs six months to a year after the toara. There is detailed description of the events associated with the ceremony […]. The article provides insights on Mathews' views on cannibalism in Aboriginal communities. There are unusual details about the way in which the roles of particular men in the ceremony were determined by the kinship system. There is a brief explication of southern Queensland kinship and marriage rules at the end of the article and a few remarks about beliefs concerning animals. Among the Aboriginal people of the Burnett, Mary and Dawson rivers, the common bat is a friend of all men, while a small owl or nighthawk is the friend of women.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Southern Queensland.
2. Wirraidyuri.
3. Inhabitants of Burnett, Mary and Dawson rivers.

LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Area of Southern Queensland, situated along the coast from the boundary of New South Wales northerly to the vicinity of Port Curtis, extending inland to comprise a zone from 150 miles to 200 miles wide. This area contains the country drained by Burnett, Mary, Brisbane and other rivers, as well as the Valley of the Dawson and upper portions of Condamine River.

INFORMANTS
Not applicable.

CORRESPONDENTS
Nil.

ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.

REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Published a brief description of the toara ceremony in ‘The Toara Ceremony of the Dippil Tribes of Queensland’, American Anthropologist, vol 2 (new series) (1900).
2. ‘The Burbung of the Wiradthuri Tribes’, Journal of the Anthropological Institute, vol. 25 (1896).

RELATED PUBLICATIONS
‘The Toara Ceremony of the Dippil Tribes of Queensland’ (1900)
‘Die Bundandaba-Zeremonie in Queensland’ (1910)
 

 

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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 65
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1910
Title: Does Exogamy Exist in Australian Tribes?
Journal: Revue d'Ethnographie et de Sociologie
Volume: 5
Pages: 1-2
Keywords: Kinship and marriage


Abstract: In this article Mathews responds to a circular letter written by the Australian anthropologist A. W. Howitt. Titled 'A Message to Anthropologists', Howitt had written it shortly before his death in 1908. It was posted to an international array of anthropologists and anthropological institutions and published by the Paris-based Revue d'Ethnographie et de Sociologie in 1908. Howitt's letter had directly criticised Mathews, arguing that the Aboriginal marriages Mathews had reported as 'irregular' or 'alternative' (those which did not conform to the standard marriage rules but were nonetheless acknowledged as legitimate within the kinship systems) were in fact post-contact innovations and evidence of tribal decay. Howitt alleged this was a partial replication of the argument Howitt had advanced in his article 'The Native Tribes of Southeast Australia' (1908), published in volume 30 of American Antiquarian. Mathews responds to Howitt's assertions, repeating arguments he had developed in more detail in his article 'Sociology of Some Australian Tribes' (1909). His defence relies on reports of certain marital arrangements by Rev William Ridley in 1866 and 1875. Mathews claimed that they predated any breakdown of the ancient customs. In this article Mathews reports for the first time that during his surveying career he had employed Aboriginal people.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kamilaroi
2. Kurnu
3. Turrubul

LOCATIONS MENTIONED
Not applicable.

INFORMANTS
Not applicable.

CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.

ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.

REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Article finding no absolute exogamy in Victoria, ie 'Sociology of Aboriginal Tribes in Australia' (1905) (p. 1).
2. 1894 work on Kamilaroi sections, confirming Rev. William Ridley's work on alternative wives, ie 'The Kamilaroi Class System of the Australian Aborigines' (1894-95) (p. 2).
3. 'Divisions of Queensland Aborigines' (1898) (p. 2).
4. 'Note on the Social Organisation of the Turrubul and Adjacent Tribes' (1907) (p. 2).

RELATED ARTICLES
'Sociology of Some Australian Tribes' (1909)
 

 

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Reference Type: Book Section
Record Number: 92
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1910
Title: Language and Sociology of the Kumbaingerri Tribe, New South Wales
Editor: Shirley, John
Book Title: Report of the Twelfth Meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, held at Brisbane, 1909
City: Brisbane
Publisher: Published by the Association
Volume: 12
Pages: 485-93
Keywords: Ceremonies - initiation
Kinship and marriage
Language elicitation


Abstract: This article is an English version of 'Das Kumbainggeri, eine Eingeborenensprache von Neu-Sud-Wales' (1903). It is one of more than 20 publications documenting Aboriginal languages that Mathews published between 1900 and 1910. Mathews adopted a formula in his linguistic writings, using a template when documenting grammar and vocabulary. In this paper Mathews describes Kumbainggeri, the language spoken from Nambucca to Grafton and as far inland as the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales. Describing how he acquired this information, Mathews says it came from 'old men and women in the aboriginal camps'. In explaining his system of orthography, Mathews states that the method he has used is adapted from a circular issued by the Royal Geographical Society, London. He then describes the grammatical structure of Kumbainggeri, arranging his material under the following headings/sub-headings: 'Nouns' (including sections on 'Number', 'Gender', 'Case'); 'Adjectives'; 'Pronouns'; 'Verbs' (including notes on 'Voice', 'Mood' and 'Tense'); 'Adverbs'; and 'Numerals'. Mathews states that a secret or 'mystic' language was used by Kumbainggeri […]. He also briefly describes the kinship system which consists of two 'cycles' (moieties), each of which is further divided into two sections. There is a table that gives section names and explains which sections are allowed to intermarry. There is a brief paragraph on the 'important and imposing' initiation ceremonies of the Kumbainggeri. Mathews refers his reader to other articles he has written on this subject: 'Initiation Ceremonies of Australian Tribes' (1898) and 'The Walloonggurra Ceremony' (1899-1900). The article concludes with a section headed 'Vocabulary of Kumbainggeri' which contains 300 English words, followed by their equivalents in Kumbainggeri. The words are arranged under the following headings: 'The Human Body'; 'Inanimate Natural Objects'; 'Mammals'; 'Birds'; 'Fish'; 'Reptiles'; 'Invertebrates'; 'Trees'; 'Weapons &c.'; 'Adjectives'; 'Verbs'.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kumbainggeri
2. Kurnu

LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Nambucca
2. Grafton
3. Main Dividing Range

INFORMANTS
1. 'old men and women in the aboriginal camps' (490).

CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.

ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.

REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. 'original articles on the languages of Australian tribes' contributed to Royal Society of New South Wales (485).
2. Previous articles on mystic language (489).
3. Short vocabularies of the mystic languages of the Kamilaroi and Kurnu, contributed to Royal Society of New South Wales (489).
4. Article on Kumbainggeri initiation ceremonies, American Philosophical Society (489).
5. Article on elementary form of Kumbainggeri initiation, Royal Geographical Society of Queensland (489).

RELATED PUBLICATIONS
‘Initiation Ceremonies of Australian Tribes’ (1898).
‘The Walloonggurra Ceremony’ (1899-1900).
'Das Kumbainggeri: eine Eingeborenensprache von Neu-Sud-Wales' (1903) (German version of this article).
 

 

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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 187
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1911
Title: Matrilineal Descent in the Kaiabara Tribe, Queensland
Journal: MAN
Volume: 11
Issue: 66
Pages: 100-03
Date: 1911
Keywords: Kinship and marriage


Abstract: This brief, polemical article continues Mathews' by now well-argued case against A. W. Howitt's view that the kinship system of the Kaiabara people in south Queensland was transmitted through patrilineal (or agnatic) descent. The article is ostensibly a response to Andrew Lang who repeated some of Howitt's alleged mistakes in an earlier issue of MAN in 1911. Mathews points out that N. W. Thomas and J. G. Frazer had similarly accepted Howitt's views on this matter. Mathews describes how he initially shared Howitt's 'delusion' concerning agnatic descent, but changed his opinion after personal inquiries in the area concerned. He shows how he had argued against Howitt's position in various publications and how these were ignored when the latter published The Native Tribes of South-East Australia in 1904.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kaiabara, South Queensland
2. Kuinmurbura

LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. South Queensland

INFORMANTS
Nil.

CORRESPONDENTS
Nil.

ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.

REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. 'Divisions of Queensland Aborigines' (1898)
2. 'The Origin, Organization and Ceremonies of the Australian Aborigines' (1900)
3. 'Australian Divisional Systems' (1898)
4. 'The Toara Ceremony of the Dippil Tribes of Queensland' (1900)
5. Article in Queensland Geographical Journal, vol. 22, pp. 82-86.
6. 'Literature relating to Australian Aborigines [Letter to the Editor]' (1907)
7. 'Note on the Social Organisation of the Turrubul and Adjacent Tribes' (1907)
8. 'The Kamilaroi Class System of the Australian Aborigines' (1894-95)

RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Mathews' argument concerning descent in the Kaiabara community was made in the following publications:
'Notes on the Aborigines of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland' (1907)
'Note on the Social Organisation of the Turrubul and Adjacent Tribes' (1907)
'Literature relating to Australian Aborigines [Letter to the Editor]' (1907)
'The Kumbainggeri, Turrubul, Kaiabara, and Mycoolon Tribes, Australia' (1909)
'Sociology of some Australian Tribes' (1909)
'Notes on Some Published Statements with Regard to the Australian Aborigines' (1912)
 

 

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Reference Type: Book Section
Record Number: 115
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1912
Title: Notes on some published Statements with regard to the Australian Aborigines
Book Title: Report of the Thirteenth Meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, held at Sydney, 1911
City: Sydney
Publisher: Published by the Association
Volume: 13
Pages: 449-53
Keywords: Fishing - fish weirs
Hunting
Kinship and marriage
Rock art


Abstract: This article addresses inaccuracies that had appeared in previous reports of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science and in other sources. Mathews criticises T. Worsnop's accounts of Aboriginal rock art, explaining how, in search of more reliable data, he encouraged T. A. Bradshaw, a telegraph officer at Alice Springs, to gather photographs and accurate descriptions. He also criticises accounts of the Brewarrina fish traps by G. S. Lang and K. Langloh Parker and remarks about Aboriginal hunting made by Sir George Grey. He also repeats his now well-established critique of A. W. Howitt's claim that the marriage and kinship rules of the Kaiabara community in Queensland descend patrilineally. The article is illustrated by a photograph take by Bradshaw of rock paintings on the Finke River, Northern Territory.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Euahlayi
2. Kaiabara

LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Alice Springs
2. Oonaminna rock-hole
3. Sullivans Creek, NT
4. Finke River
5. Nardoo Creek
6. County of Denison, QLD
7. Brewarrina
8. Bucklands Tableland, QLD

INFORMANTS
1. Mr. T. A. Bradshaw, the officer in charge of the telegraph station at Alice Springs (450).
2. 'a resident of the district [Central Queensland] indicated' (450).
3. 'old blackfellows … in the different States of the Commonwealth' (453).

CORRESPONDENTS
1. Mr. T. A. Bradshaw (450).
2. 'a resident of the district [Central Queensland] indicated' (450).

ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Photograph supplied by T. A. Bradshaw of Aboriginal paintings, Finke River (454).

REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
Not applicable.
 

 

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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 184
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1912
Title: Matrilineal Descent in the Arranda and Chingalee Tribes
Journal: MAN
Volume: 12
Issue: 47
Pages: 93-96
Keywords: Kinship and marriage


Abstract: In this publication Mathews responds to an article titled 'Marriage and Descent in North Australia' by A. R. Brown (the anthropologist subsequently known as A. Radcliffe-Brown), published in issue 32 of MAN (1910). Mathews argues that Brown had been led astray by his uncritical reading of W. Baldwin Spencer and F. J. Gillen's reporting of the kinship and marriage customs of the Arranda and Chingalee tribes of the Northern Territory. Mathews points to his own publications which claim that descent of the kinship system is matrilineal in the Arranda and Chingalee, as it is in the Kamilaroi communities of New South Wales. Mathews also mentions his discovery of the 'blood' and 'shade' divisions which complicate the kinship system of the Ngeumba people in New South Wales. He wonders if something similar is operative in the Arranda tribe, even though local observers such as Carl Strehlow have failed to perceive it. Mathews also writes that the allocation of totems among the Chingalee community is not determined by descent. Data pertaining to Central and Northern Australia were supplied to Mathews by 'men who went out to the mineral fields, by managers of cattle and horse stations, by men in charge of the overland telegraph line, by the police and others, all of whom have resided in that district for longer or shorter periods'. He names one correspondent who assisted him-a 'Mr. Jackson...who visited various parts of that district [Hermannsburg] in 1895 in connection with mining'.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Arranda
2. Chingalee
3. Ngeumba
4. Kamilaroi

LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Hermannsburg

INFORMANTS
Not applicable.

CORRESPONDENTS
1. 'Mr. Jackson, a friend who visited various parts of that district [Hermannsburg] in 1895 in connection with mining' (94).

ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.

REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. A 'table published by me in 1899' in Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, vol 38 and Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, vol. 33.
2. A table showing 'Chingalee organisation' published in 1900 in American Anthropologist, vol. 2.
3. Table showing 'eight classes of the Arranda', published 1898 in Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, vol. 32.
4. Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of New South Wales and Victoria (1905).
6. American Anthropologist, vol. 10.
7. Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, vol. 41.
8. Mitteilungen der Anthropologischen Gesellschaft, vol. 38.
9. American Anthropologist, vol. 7.
10. Queensland Geographical Journal, vol. 16.
11. Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d'Anthropologie de Paris, vol. 8.
12. Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, vol. 40.
 

   

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