CHAPTER IV._Kinship Organisations and Group Marriage in Australia

TABLES OF CLASSES, PHRATRIES, ETC.

In order to facilitate reference and to diminish the necessity for

footnotes a survey of classes and phratries is here given. It will be

well to explain how they are arranged.

In the two-phratry system the rule of intermarriage is clear; a man of

phratry _A_ marries a woman of phratry _B_ and _vice versa_. The direct

descent of the kinship name is obviously the rule.

The four classes are arranged according to the phratries; the normal

rule is that a man _A1_ marries _B1_, _A2_ marries _B2_; their children

are in matrilineal tribes _A2_ and _B2_, in patrilineal _B2_ and _A2_.

In the patrilineal Mara and Anula, by exception, the rule of descent is

direct; it will be remembered that a dichotomy of the classes prevails,

so that they really belong to the eight-class system.

In the eight-class system and among the nominally four-class southern

Arunta the intermarriage and descent is as follows, according to Spencer

and Gillen;

_A1_ _B1_

------ = _A4_, ------ = _B3_,

_B1_ _A1_

_A_2 _B2_

------ = _A3_, ------ = _B4_,

_B2_ _A2_

_A3_ _B3_

------ = _A2_, ------ = _B1_,

_B3_ _A3_

_A4_ _B4_

------ = _B4_, ------ = _B2_.

_B4_ _A4_

In each case the male is the numerator, the woman the denominator, and

the = shows the child.

Tribes with conterminous territories usually know what phratries and

classes are equivalent in their systems. In the tables which follow the

phratries and the classes of matrilineal tribes are arranged to show

this correspondence so far as it is known. A * shows that no information

on the point is to hand. A rearrangement of patrilineal classes is

necessary to make them equivalent to the organisations of matrilineal

tribes; this cannot be shown in the tables; but full details will be

found in the works of Spencer and Gillen. A † indicates patrilineal

descent.

Where the names of phratries and classes are translated, the meanings

are shown in the tables; where the authorities do not give the

translation but a word of the same form is in use in the tribe or group

of tribes the meanings are given in round brackets; words in use in

neighbouring tribes are put in square brackets.

TABLE I.

_The Class Names._

_Class names_ _Feminine_ _Meaning_

I. Muri (Bya)[48] Matha (Red kangaroo)

Kubi Kubitha (Opossum)

Kumbo (Wōmbee)[49] Butha

Ipai Ipatha (Eaglehawk)

These class names are found in the following tribes:

Kamilaroi (Howitt, p. 107); Wiradjeri (_ib._ 107); Wonghi (_ib._ 108);

Euahlayi (Mrs L. Parker, _Euahlayi Tribe_, p. 13); Ngeumba (Mathews in

_Eth. Notes_, p. 5); Murawari (_id._ in _Proc. R.G.S. Qu._, 1906, 55);

Moree (_R.G.S. Qu._ X, 20); Turribul (_R.S. Vict._ I, 102); Wollaroi

(Howitt, 109); on Narran R. (Curr, I, 117); Pikumbul (_ib._); Unghi

(Howitt, 217); Peechera (Curr, III, 271); Wailwun (_ib._ I, 116);

Wonnaruah (_Sci. Man_, I, 180); Geawegal (Howitt, 266).

Associated with these class names are the following phratry names:

(_a_) Kamilaroi, etc. Dilbi Kupathin

(_b_) Wiradjeri to N. of Budthurung Mukula

Lachlan

(_c_) Wonghibon Ngielbumurra Mukumurra (Howitt)

(_d_) " & Ngeumba {Ngumbun Ngurrawan (Mathews)

{Numbun

(_e_) Euahlayi Gwaigullean Gwaimudthen

(_f_) Murawari Girrana Merugulli

_Class names_ _Feminine_

II. Kurbo Kooran

Marro Kurgan

Wombo Wirrikin

Wirro Wongan

The proper arrangement of these names is unknown.

_Tribe_: Kombinegherry (_J.A.I._ XIII, 304; Howitt, 105).

_Science of Man_ (IV, 8) gives:

Carribo Gooroona

Maroongah Carrigan

Womboongah Werrican

Weiro Warganbah

For the Anaywan, Thangatty, etc., R.H. Mathews gives (_J.R.S.N.S.W._

XXXI, 169):

Irpoong Matyang

Marroong Arrakan

Imboong Irrakadena

Irroong Palyang

_Class name (Fem. termination, -an or -gan)_ _Meaning_

III†[50]. Parang (Moroon) (Black wallaby. Emu)

Bunda [Kangaroo]

Balgoin (Banjoor, (Red wallaby. Native

Pandur) bear)

Theirwain (Kangaroo)

_Tribes_: Maryborough tribes (Howitt, 117); Kabi (Curr, III, 163):

Kiabara (_J.A.I._ XIII, 305); ? (Hodgson, 212; Mathew, _Eaglehawk_,

100); Wide Bay (Curr, I, 117).

For the Emon, Howitt (p. 109) gives:

Barah

Bondan

Bondurr

Taran

With these classes are associated the phratries:

(_a_) The Maryborough tribes Dilbi Kupathin.

and the Kiabara

(_b_) Dippil Deeajee Karpeun

are the forms given by Mathews (_Proc. Am. Phil. Soc._ XXXVIII, 329).

_Class names (Fem. termination, -an)_ _Meaning_

IV. Karilbura Barrimundi

Munal Hawk

Kurpal Good water

Kuialla (Koodala) Iguana

_Tribes_: Kuinmurbura (_J.A.I._ XIII, 341; Howitt, 111). The Taroombul

have the form Koodala (_Proc. R.S. Qu._ XIII, 41).

For the Kangulu, Mathews (_J.R.S.N.S.W._ XXXIII, 111) gives:

Banniar[51]

Banjoor

Koorpal

Kearra

With these may be compared Howitt's (p. 111):

Kairawa

Bunjur

Bunya

Jarbain (? Tarbain)

The phratries associated with these are:

_Tribe_

(_a_) Kuinmurbura Witteru Yungaru

(_b_) Kangulu Wutthuru Yungnuru

_Class names_ _Fem. termination_ _Meaning_

V. Wongo

Kubaru (Ubur, Obu) -an (Gidea tree)

Bunburi (Anbeir, Unburri,

Bunbai)

Koorgilla (Urgilla)

_Tribes_: Ungorri (Howitt, 109); Kogai (Curr, I, 117; _J.A.I._ XIII,

337); Yuipera etc. (Curr, III, 45, 64; _J.A.I._ XIII, 302); Akulbura,

Bathalibura (Howitt, 113, 141); Wakelbura (Howitt, 112); on Belyando

(Curr, III, 26); Dalebura (Howitt, 113), Buntamurra (Howitt, 113, 226);

Purgoma (Roth, 66); Jouon (_ib._ 67); Pitta-Pitta, Goa, Miorli (Roth,

56-7); Ringa-Ringa (_J.A.I._ XIII, 337); Mittakoodi (Roth, 56-7);

Woonamurra (_ib._); Yerunthully (Mathews in _R.G.S. Qu._ X, 30); Badieri

(_id. ib._ 1905, 55).

With these class names are associated the phratries

(_a_) Kogai, Wakelbura etc. Wuthera Mallera

(_b_) Yuipera, Bathalibura Wootaroo Yungaroo

(_c_) Purgoma Naka Tunna

(_d_) Jouon Chepa Junna

(_e_) Pitta-Pitta etc., Ootaroo Pakoota

Mittakoodi, Woonamura

(_f_) Badieri Wootaroo Yungo

Aberrant forms, probably inaccurate, are given by Curr (II, 424) for

Halifax Bay: Korkoro, Korkeen, Wongo, Wotero; by Lumholtz (p. 199) for

the Herbert R.: Gorilla, Gorgero, Gorgorilla, Otero, by Curr (II, 468)

for the Yukkaburra: Utheroo, Multheroo, Yungaroo, Goorgilla.

On the Tully R. Roth (_Ethn. Bull._ V, 20) found the following:

_Class names_

VI. Karavangi

Chikun

Kurongon

Kurkilla

With these may be compared the names given by Mathews for the Warkeman

(_J.R.S.N.S.W._ XXXII, 109, 251):

Karpungie

Cheekungie

Kellungie

Koopungie

On the Annan R. we find (Howitt, 118) with male descent:

_Class names_ _Meaning_

VII. Wandi Eaglehawk

Walar Bee

Jorro Bee

Kutchal Saltwater Eaglehawk

With these are associated the phratries:

(_a_) Walar Murla

VIII. Ranya (Arenia)

Rara (Arara)

Loora

Awunga (Arawongo)

_Tribes_: Wollongurma (Roth, 68); Goothanto (Mathews in _J.R.S.N.S.W._

XXXIII, 109).

Connected with these forms are:

_Class names_

Barry (Ahjereena)

Ararey (Arrenynung)

Jury [? Loory] (Perrynung)

Mungilly (Mahngal) [diamond snake][52]

_Tribes_: Koogobathy (_J.A.I._ XIII, 303); Koonjan etc. (Mathews in

_J.R.S.N.S.W._ XXXIII, 110, XXXIV, 135). Probably Perrynung and

Ahjereenya should be transposed.

_Class names_ _Feminine_

IX. Jimmilingo Carburungo

Badingo Ngarrangungo

Maringo[53] Munjungo

Youingo (Kapoodungo) Goothamungo

_Tribes_: Miappe (Roth, 56-7); Mycoolon (_J.A.I._ XIII, 302);

Workoboongo (Roth, _ib._).

For the Kalkadoon, Roth (_ib._) gives:

Kunggilungo

Patingo

Toonbeungo

Marinungo[53]

With these are associated the phratries:

(_a_) Kalkadoon Ootaroo Mullara

(_b_) Miappe Woodaroo Pakutta

_Class names_

X. Murungun

Mumbali

Purdal

Kuial

_Tribe_: Mara (_Northern Tribes_, 119).

With these the phratry names:

(_a_) Urku Ua

In this tribe is male descent, and, as in the S. Arunta, the classes are

themselves divided; for equivalence the numbers of the eight-class

system are arranged (_Nor. Tr._ 123), 1, 4; 3, 2; 5, 7; 6, 8.

Leichardt (_Journal_, 447) reports from the Roper R., Gnangball, Odall,

Nurumball, which from their form seem to be class names and identifiable

with some of the Mara names.

_Class names_

XI. Awukaria

Roumburia

Urtalia

Wialia

_Tribe_: Anula (_Nor. Tr._ 119).

XII. For the eight-class system see Table I a; in which it is assumed

that patrilineal descent prevails in all the tribes.

With these are associated the following phratries:

(_a_) Umbaia, Gnanji Illitchi Liaritchi

(_b_) Warramunga, Walpari, Uluuru Kingilli

Wulmala

(_c_) Worgaia " Bimgaru

(_d_) Bingongina Wiliuku Liaraku

Spencer and Gillen, _Nor. Tr._ pp. 100-102, 119. On p. 102 is a

statement about the Bingongina inconsistent with that on the following

page; according to the former the phratry names are Illitchi, Liaritchi,

as among the Umbaia.

_Class names_

XIII. Panunga

Bulthara

Purula

Kumara

_Tribe_: S. Arunta (_Nat. Tr._ 90).

XIII_a_. Deringara

Gubilla

Koomara

Belthara

_Tribe_: Yoolanlanya etc. (_R.G.S. Qu._ XVI, 75).

The arrangement suggests that matrilineal descent prevails, but there is

probably some error.

_Class names_

XIII_b_. Burong (Parungo)

Ballieri (Parajerri; Butcharrie)

Banaka (Boogarloo)

Kymerra (Kaiamba)

_Tribes_: Gnamo, Gnalluma (_Int. Arch._ XVI, 12); Nickol Bay and

Kimberley have the alternative forms of 1, 2, and 4 (Curr, I, 296;

_Kamilaroi_, 36, Mathews in _J.R.S.N.S.W._ XXXV, 220), Weedokarry (_id._

in _Proc. Am. Phil. Soc._ XXXIX, 89) have third form of 2; at Murchison

R. Boorgarloo comes into use (_West Australian_, Ap. 7, 1906).

_Class names_ _Meaning_

XIV. Tondarup (Namyungo) Fish hawk

Didaruk Sea

Ballaruk (Yangor) (Opossum)

Naganok (Fish)

_Tribes_: S.W. Australia, Tarderick etc. (_West. Aust._, _loc. cit._;

Moore, _Desc. Voc._, _Col. Mag._ V, 422.

The phratries are

(_a_) Wartungmat Munichmat

The equivalence is unknown.

_Class names_

XV. Langenam

Namegor

Packwicky

Pamarung

_Tribe_: Joongoongie of N. Queensland (Mathews in _Proc. Am. Phil. Soc._

XXXIX, 93).

Associated with them the phratries:

(_a_) Jamagunda Gamanutta

The equivalence is unknown.

_Class names_ _Meaning_

XVI. Kari Emu

Waui Red kangaroo

Wiltu Eaglehawk

Wilthuthu Shark

_Tribe_: Narrangga of Yorke Peninsula (Howitt, p. 130).

FOOTNOTES:

[48] The Darkinung have Bya for Muri (_J.R.S.N.S.W._ XXXI, 170).

[49] Some of the Wiradjeri have Wōmbee for Kumbo (Gribble, 113).

[50] Male descent.

[51] Some of the names given by Howitt and Mathews seem to be identical

with those of the Kiabara, but there is a difficulty about the

arrangement, for Koorpal-Keeara=Yungnuru=Bunya-Jarbain; but Banniar,

which seems to be the same as Bunya, falls in the other moiety.

[52] Curr, II, 478.

[53] Marinungo seems to be the same as Maringo but is not equivalent.

TABLE I a: XII. CLASS NAMES OF EIGHT-CLASS TRIBES.

+---------------------+ +-------------------------------------------------+

-|----------+----------|-+-|----------+-----------+------------+-------------|-+

[54] etc. | [55] | | [57] etc. | [58] | |

------------+------------+------------+-----------+------------+---------------+

Janna | Thama } | Tjinum |Jinagoo |Tjuanaku |Uanuku |

_Nanakoo_ | Tchana} | _Ninum_ | |_Niriuma_ |_Nuanakurna_ |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

------------+------------+------------+-----------+------------+---------------+

+--------------------------------------+

-|----------+--------------+------------|-+-------------+-----------------+

| [61] | [62] | [63] | |

------------+--------------+--------------+-------------+-----------------+

Wairgu | Narrabalangie|{Narrabalangie| Unwannee | Thamininja |

| _Neonammer_ |{Warkie | _Imbannee_ | _Namininja_ |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

Warrithu | Burralangie |{Burralangie | Urwalla | Tjurulinginja |

| _Nurralammer_|{Narechie | _Imbawalla_ | _Nalinginja_ |

| | | | |

| | | | |

Tjameramu | Kommerangie |{Kommerangie | Unmarra | Thamaringinja |

| _Nemurammer_ |{Boonongoona | _Inganmarra_| _Namaringinja_ |

| | | | |

Ikamaru | Yakomari |{Akamaroo | Tabachin | Tjapatjinginja |

| _Jumeyunyie_ |{Thimmermill | _Tabadenna_ | _Nambitjinginja_|

------------+--------------+--------------+-------------+-----------------+

---------------+----------------+-------------+------------+-----------+

{Ilpirra[65] |{Warramunga[66] | Meening[67] | Mayoo[68] | Koorangie |

{Arunta |{Walpari | | | [69] etc.|

{Kaitish |{Wulmala | | | |

{Iliaura | | | | |

---------------+----------------+-------------+------------+-----------+

| | | | |

| | | | |

{Bulthara | Tjapeltjeri | Chavalya | Chavalya | Dhalyeree |

{Kabidgi | _Naltjeri_ | _Nanajerry_ | _Nabajerry_| |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

---------------+----------------+-------------+------------+-----------+

FOOTNOTES:

[54] Mathews in _Proc. R.G.S. Qu._, X, 72.

[55] _Northern Tribes_, 101.

[56] _Ib._, 100, cf. _J.R.S.N.S.W._, XXXIV, 121; XXXIX, 105.

[57] Mathews in _Proc. Am. Phil. Soc._, XXXVIII, 77.

[58] _Northern Tribes_, 111.

[59] _Northern Tribes_, 101.

[60] _Northern Tribes_, 101.

[61] Mathews in _J.R.S.N.S.W._, XXXII, 251.

[62] Mathews in _J.R.S.N.S.W._, XXXIII, 111.

[63] Mathews in _J.R.S.N.S.W._, XXXIV, 130.

[64] _Northern Tribes_, 100; cf. _Am. Anth._, N.S. II, 495; _Proc.

R.G.S. Qu._, XVI, 72, 73.

[65] _Native Tribes_, 90; cf. _Proc. R.S. Vict._, N.S. X, 19;

_T.R.S.S.A._, XIV, 224; _J.R.S.N.S.W._, XXXII, 72.

[66] _Northern Tribes_, 100; cf. _J.A.I._, XVIII, 44; _J.R.S.N.S.W._,

XXXII, 73.

[67] Mathews in _J.R.S.N.S.W._, XXXIII, 112; XXXV, 217.

[68] Mathews in _Proc. R.G.S. Qu._, XVI, 70.

[69] Mathews in _Am. Phil. Soc._, XXXVIII, 78.

TABLE II.

_Phratry Names._

_Phratries_ _Meanings_ _Name of Tribe_

1. †Waa(ng) Crow Wurunjerri[70]

Bunjil or Wrepil Eaglehawk

2. Yuckembruk " Ngarrego[71]

Merung

3. Umbe Crow Wolgal[72] etc.

Malian or Multa Eaglehawk

4. Muquara " Berriait[73], Tatathi[74],

Kilpara Wathi-Wathi[74], Keramin[75],

Waimbio[76], Barkinji[77],

Milpulko[78], Wilya[78],

Itchumundi[79]

5. Kumit (Gamutch, Black cockatoo

Kaputch, Kulitch)

Kroki (Krokitch, White cockatoo Booandik[80], Wotjoballuk[81],

Krokage) Gournditchmara[82] etc.

The feminine terminations are -egor, -gurk or -jarr.

For South-West Victoria Dawson (_Aborigines_, p. 26) gives two groups

and an odd totem kin (?):

_Phratries_ _Meaning_ _Name of Tribe_

6. Kuurokeetch Longbilled cockatoo

Kartpoerappa Pelican

Kappatch Banksia cockatoo

Kirtuuk Boa snake

Kuunamit Quail

7. Kararu (Kiraru, Dieri[83], Parnkalla & Nauo[84],

Kararawa) Yandairunga[85], Urabunna[86]

Matteri

8. Tinewa Yandrawontha, Yowerawarika[87]

Koolpuru (? Emu)

9. Yungo (? Kangaroo)

Mattera Kurnandaburi[88]

10. Kookoojeeba

Koocheebinga Geebera[89]

The equivalence is not known.

11. Koorabunna

Kooragula Goonganji[90]

_Phratry_

12. Darboo* Bloomfield River[91]

Tooar

*The equivalence is unknown.

_Phratry names._ _Four-class system_ _Meaning_

20. Dilbi Kupathin Ia, III†

21. Budthurung(1) Mukula Ib (1)=black duck

22. Gwaigullean Gwaimudthen Ie Light blood; dark blood

23. Ngielbumurra Mukumurra Ic

24. Ngumbun Ngurrawan Id

25. Girana Merugulli If

26. Deeajee Karpeun IIIb

27. Witteru Yungaru IVa, b; Vb (? Kangaroo; ? emu)

27_a_. " Yungo Vf

28. " Mallera Va, IXa

29. " Pakoota Ve, IXb

30. Naka Tunna Vc

31. Walar Murla* VIIa Bee; bee

32. Cheepa Junna Vd

33. Jamagunda Gamanutta* XIa

34. Wartungmat Munichmat* XIVa Crow; white cockatoo

_Eight-class system_†

40. Illitchi Liaritchi XIIa

41. Uluuru Biingaru XIIc (? Curlew)

42. " Kingilli XIIb (? Curlew)

43. Wiliuku Liaraku XIId

44. Urku Ua Xa

FOOTNOTES:

[70] Howitt, p. 126.

[71] _Id._ p. 101.

[72] _Id._ p. 102, Lang, _Secret_, p. 163.

[73] Curr, II, 165.

[74] _J.A.I._ XIII, 338; Howitt, p. 195.

[75] _J.A.I._ XIV, 349.

[76] Taplin, p. 17; Howitt, p. 100.

[77] _J.A.I._ XIV, 348; Curr, II, 188, 195.

[78] Howitt, p. 98.

[79] _Id._ p. 106 n. For the Kurnai, Bunjil and Ngarregal were perhaps

phratry names (Howitt, p. 135).

[80] Curr, III, 461; Howitt, p. 123.

[81] _Id._ p. 121.

[82] _Id._ p. 124.

[83] Howitt, p. 91.

[84] Woods, p. 222.

[85] Howitt, p. 187.

[86] _Nor. Tr._ p. 60.

[87] Howitt, p. 97.

[88] Howitt, p. 92; Mathews in _J.R.S.N.S.W._ XXXIII, 108.

[89] Mathews in _Proc. Am. Phil. Soc._ XXXIX, 187.

[90] _Sci. Man_, I. 84; Mathews in _Proc. Am. Phil. Soc._ XXXIX, 89; in

_J.R.S.N.S.W._ he reports a third name in certain

districts--Koorameenya.

[91] Mathews in _Proc. Am. Phil. Soc._ XXXIX, 89.

TABLE III.

Allusion has been made in Chapter III to kinship organisations

denominated "bloods" and "shades" by Mr R.H. Mathews. Whether it is that

some observers have mistaken these for phratries or _vice versâ_, it

seems that the names of the two classes of organisation are at present

inextricably intermingled, as the following table shows:

_Tribe_ _Phratry_ _Blood_ _Meaning_

Itchmundi[92] Kilpara-Muquara {Mukulo-Ngielpuru †Sluggish and

" {Muggula-Ngipuru† swift blood

Wiradjeri[93] Mukula-Budthurung

Wonghibon[94] Mukumura-Ngiel-

bumura

Wonghi- }[95]

bon and } Ngumbun- Gwaigullimba- ‡Swift and sluggish

Ngneumba} Ngurrawan Gwaimudhan‡ blood

Euahlayi[96] Gwaigullean- Light and dark

Gwaimudthen blooded

Murawari[97] Girrana-Merugulli Muggulu-Bumbirra§ §Sluggish and

swift blood

FOOTNOTES:

[92] Howitt, p. 106 n.; Mathews in _J.R.S.N.S.W._ XXXIX, 118.

[93] _Id._ p. 107.

[94] _Id._ p. 108.

TABLE IV.

The areas covered by the different class and phratry names are not

co-extensive, that is to say a class is associated with more than one

phratry and _vice versâ_. The Undekerebina[98] and Yelyuyendi[99] have

phratries (No. 29) which are usually associated with classes but in

their case none have been noted. On the other hand it is not uncommon to

find classes without the corresponding phratry names; this is the case

in the eight class area, among the tribes of N.S. Wales, S. Queensland,

etc.; but no special significance attaches to it unless we are certain

that it is not the negligence of the observer nor the disuse of the

names which has produced this state of things. On the other hand the

relation of phratry and class areas is of the highest importance, as is

shown in Chapter V. The following table shows the anomalies:

_Tribe_ _Phratry_ _Class_

Wiradjeri 21 I

Euahlayi 22 I

Ngeumba, Wonghi 23, or 24 I

Murawari 25 I

Kiabara, etc. 20 III

Dippil 26 III

Kuinmurbura, Kongulu 27 IV

Yuipera, Badieri, Yambeena, etc. 27 V

Kogai, Wakelbura, etc. 28 V

Woonamura, Mittakoodi, Miorli, etc. 29 V

Purgoma 30 V

Jouon 32 V

Miappe 29 VIII

Kalkadoon 28 VIII

FOOTNOTES:

[95] Mathews in _J.R.S.N.S.W._ xxxix, 116. _Eth. Notes_, p. 5.

[96] Mrs Langloh Parker, _Euahlayi Tribe_, p. 11.

[97] Mathews in _Proc. R.G.S. Qu._, 1905, 52.

[98] Rota, p. 56.

[99] Howitt, p. 192.