PITJURI
Distribution of native tobacco—Collecting grounds—Native
names—Pitjuri habit—Preparation of leaves—Stimulating
and comforting properties—Ash added to liberate the
alkaloid—Properties of piturine.
Most of the central Australian tribes have learned to recognize the
narcotic properties of the tobacco-like plant commonly called pitjuri.
All tribes, from the Wongapitcha eastwards to beyond the borders of
Queensland and New South Wales, know the value of the plant, and even
if it does not actually grow in the particular tribal area, its leaves
are obtained from adjoining tribes by barter. The Dieri, Yantowannta,
Wongkanguru, and Ngameni are all required to procure their supplies
from further north, because the plant does not grow in the Cooper Creek
district. The Arunndta, and latterly the Aluridja as well, regularly
collect as much pitjuri as they want in the valley of the Finke and
other gorges of the MacDonnell Ranges, whilst the Wongapitcha have their
resources in the Musgrave and Everard Ranges.
The collecting grounds are as a rule owned by a circle of old men, each
of whom clearly defines his boundaries by placing a number of stones upon
the ground. A proprietor may give another person the necessary permission
to gather leaves on his plot according to certain terms agreed upon. The
owner usually takes a share of the leaves, and, in addition, levies other
articles in exchange for what the collector has removed.
The plant is known by different names among different tribes; the
Arunndta call it “_engulba_,” the Wongapitcha “_peturr_,” and the
Aluridja either “_mingul_” or “_warrakinna_.” Scientifically it goes by
the name of _Duboisia Hopwoodi_.
The leaves and stalks of pitjuri are chewed by both men and women, and in
many cases by children also. It cannot be denied, once a person starts
chewing pitjuri, he soon develops a craving for it, like a habitual
smoker does for tobacco. The usual plan is to partially dry the leaves
in the sun, or over warm ashes, on the spot, and subsequently pack
them into bundles to take home, with the intention of storing them for
future use. But once camp is reached, the future aspect becomes entirely
inconsequential, because so long as pitjuri is known to be available,
the supplies are drawn upon; the result is that the larder soon becomes
depleted.
The men have a way of their own when preparing the pitjuri. Some of the
dried leaves are ground between two stones and the powder brushed on to
a small piece of bark. Then a few twigs of acacia or eucalypt bark are
burned to white ash, which is mixed with the powder, the whole being
subsequently worked into a softish mass with saliva. Of the final mixture
a quantity is taken and rolled between another dry leaf of the pitjuri,
cigar-fashion; and it is ready for mastication. A plug of pitjuri does
not always remain the property of one individual, especially when the
supplies are running short, but often passes from one mouth to another,
until it has done the necessary round. When not in use, the plug is
secured behind the owner’s ear, after the style an office clerk carries a
pencil.
The natives admit the stimulating benefits they derive from chewing,
or, as they say, “eating,” of pitjuri, both when they feel off colour
or fagged after a strenuous day’s outing. On the other hand, they look
upon pitjuri-chewing in company as a social comforter, which fosters
mirthfulness and friendly fellow-feeling. When natives meet, even though
they be comparative strangers, an exchange, loan, or presentation of
pitjuri takes place, as a token of friendship. In the same spirit, a
native considers the gift of a stick of tobacco from a European stranger,
who, according to tribal ideas, unlawfully passes over the hereditary
boundary, as a mere formal obligation, which expresses the intruder’s
peaceable intentions.
The burnt acacia ash, which is added to the powdered leaf of the pitjuri
plant, has a somewhat important function to perform; and one marvels at
Nature having given the unsophisticated aboriginal the hint to add it.
One of the favourite species, which is burnt for the purpose, is _Acacia
salicina_. A. J. Higgin has determined by analysis that the ash of this
plant contains the astounding amount of 51.15 per cent. of calcium
sulphate, mixed with a little carbonate of lime. It is the alkali in this
ash which liberates an alkaloid, known as piturine, from the crushed
pitjuri leaves when the two substances meet in the presence of moisture
supplied by the spittle; and this piturine is much the same in its action
as nicotine. An alkaloid is nowadays manufactured from the leaves of
the Australian plant which is used in medicine as a powerful sedative
and hypnotic. It is not difficult, therefore, to understand why an emu,
drinking from a water poisoned with the leaf of pitjuri, should become
stupefied. Vide page 139.