The Port Stephens blacks : recollections of William Scott. They immediately pack up all their movables, and start away some distance to another locality which has been previously decided upon by the headmen of the several tribes, and there they erect a new camp, being assisted in this work by some of the old men who have been directed to remain with them. 75-81 York StreetSingleton NSW 2330, telephone [2] However, it has also been claimed that the language of the Wonnarua people is more closely linked to the Darkinjung language. 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The young fellows belonging to these new arrivals are always eager to be present and assist at the performances at the kweealbang, and accordingly they start out to the camp in the bush. Choose from our family tree templates to design your own in minutes. Creating a family tree on Microsoft word is simple and straightforward. Nonprofit and free. WNAC focuses on nurturing the history and culture of the Wonnarua Nation, improving the wellbeing of its members and managing investments to sustain the . Barrallier (1802:81-82) observed at Newcastle that the Aborigines ate the roots of Fern [which he surprised a youth in the act of collecting] and a sort of root or yam. The novices are then helped to their feet, and are taken to each of the marked trees in succession. Some cattle were speared and the rest driven through the wild brushes at the head of the Myall, almost to the foreshores of Port Stephens. 87 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<094F16A5768ACBD411B1DAC73AF11856>]/Index[69 33]/Info 68 0 R/Length 87/Prev 88046/Root 70 0 R/Size 102/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream . The Port Stephens blacks : recollections of William Scott (National Library of Australia) (SCO), The journal of Charles Boydel (State Library of NSW) (CBJ). The ceremonial break from their mothers signified the first step towards manhood, it was the beginning of an event that would make them spiritually as well as physically different from women. (By WIRRAPIT). You'll want to decide what generation you want to start with. Nature appeared to have safeguarded them In her own Inscrutable fashion against most of the ailments that afflict civilised man but she had not prepared them against the diseases that the white man brought in his train. During the journey thither the novices are not allowed to gaze about them, but have to keep their eyes cast upon the ground at their feet, and their hands held on their stomachs as they walk along with their guardians. Choose the design that fits your site. The soldiers came by boat via Newcastle and landing at Clarence Town marched in search of the tribe of blacks. As the smoke swirled and eddied about his curly head, the silence was broken as though this had been the signal for speech. . These men, who are called keerang (bushes), approach the kweealbang in single file, each one holding a green bush in front of him, which hides his face and body as far as the waist, and as they walk along they make a shrill sound resembling the howling of the dingo, or wild dog. Their songs consisted mostly of a few lines, repeat- ed over and over again, with a loudly shouted wy-yahng as a re- frain. I believe the blacks had a story about them, but I do not know it. He then gave the people their laws of life, traditions, songs, and culture. The white people who recorded the language had no linguistic training, and little appreciation of the difficulties of translating between two disparate cultures. On being asked by what jury he would be tried, the prisoner replied by black-fellows ; but this of course the Court was not empowered to grant. If it chanced the long white worms commonly found in bush animals, these would be swallowed with with rare gusto as the greatest delicacy of all. [8], An Aboriginal Australian people of New South Wales. Good temper pervaded their whole conduct, and it was hard to put any of them out of countenance. University of Newcastle history professor Lyndall Ryan, who has spent almost a decade cataloguing colonial frontier massacres for an online map, found evidence of a massacre further up the Hunter Valley, but not near the Ravensworth homestead. Dungog Chronicle : Durham and Gloucester Advertiser (NSW : 1894 - 1954) Tuesday 25 March 1919 p3. And the aborigines there being contaminated and emboldened by such example have lately become most troublesome at the different stations in that locality, killing sheep and spearing cattle, without concealment, and when spo- ken to threaten the lives of the shepherds. Their traditional territory spreads from the Upper Hunter River, near Maitland west to the Great Dividing Range, towards Wollombi. A canoe-shaped vessel of bark a couple of feet long, was half filled with water and placed near him. The Wonnarua also had trade and ceremonial links with the Kamilaroi people. Naturally I was eager to see this Interesting spectacle, and rode once more to the camp at the foot of the hill some days later. The triangle icon that indicates to play. His mother then approaches him, and holds her breast to his face, pretending to suckle him. The tail of a squirrel or opossum has previously been fastened on the side of this hole by one of the men, unknown to the boys, to convey the idea that the rest of the animal is within. This template also provides some clues as to where the . This cleared space and its adjuncts is called kweealbang (fire place, or place of the fire). Re the name of Canningalla being called after Lord Canning. The fire-making sticks they used were usually parts of the dried stem of the grass-tree (pummirri). Then there was the awfully cruel poisoning of the blacks at Bakers Creek out- station of the A.A. Co. He then jumped his wedges and thus held them prisoners, and then knocked them all on the head with his maul and killed them. Early in the thirties the A.A. Coy. Of course, the whites could not for their own safety allow such an event to pass without in some way punishing the blacks, but the way they did retaliate must appear to us moderns as shockingly cruel but unfortunately for themselves the blacks were looked upon by the early settlers as vermin fit only to be destroyed. Each tribe take their own novices away with them, and put them through the remaining stages of initiation in their own country. [Coen] delighted in tormenting and carrying them away when he could get opportunities. Moffatt sent me a letter from Major Sullivan complaining of one of the Companys servant[s] (as is supposed) having come to his farm fired at some blacks in a camp close to his house, and taken away one of their [women]. Other blacks buried there were Nancy Green, Flash Jack, and Albert Brandy, the last of the tribe, died over Singleton way. Built in partnership with local Aboriginal Elders and communities, GADI showcased the rich culture and history of the Country now known as Sydney City. An epic of the fight must have been the struggle between a big Irishman named Whalan and his foes as when his body was found it had four spears through it and no less than seven blacks were lying near him with their skulls smashed by a heavy rail with which he had apparently armed himself. One of a small camp of blacks about a quarter of a mile from our house died of some sickness. A. All the men at the goonambang then start towards the kackaroo in single file, march- ing in a meandering course, and shouting as they go. The Blacks of Dungog, Port Stephens and Gresford. Bark was then carefully placed over the body. Each singer seemed to be trying to outdo his neighbor in vociferation. The headmen now ask the women to come up close, and the mother of each boy sits on the ground just outside the ring, near her son; his sisters and relatives are a little farther off, and the other women and children outside of the last named. The women were not allowed to go up this path nor approach the top of the hill at all. If the ground is wet and cold, pieces of bark are spread upon it for the women to lie upon. It was the biggest collection of blacks ever seen in the district. All the armed men who are standing round, make a noise by beating together two boomerangs, or any two weapons which they may happen to have with them. His black boy said that he would see where they had gone, and going to the camp showed, a snear stuck in the ashes of the fire with a corn cob tied on the point. A. Co. had established an out cattle station at Upper Ganghut a heifer run, in charge of [which were a few of] their assigned servants. The men would decorate themselves with pipe-clay and ochre, painting fantastic patterns about their faces and bodies, and they would wear head-dresses of weird and wonderful designs. Oysters were to be had for the gathering, and the blacks appreciated the succulent shell-fish mightily. The fish spear (tutti) was .made In three distinct parts. . The novices are then brought out and placed standing in a row between the camp and the fires, with their eyes cast down. The Kweealbang Camp.-A short digression will now be made for the purpose of describing how the women are released from their prostrate position, and their subsequent proceedings. If, on the contrary, the tribe to whom the white stone was sent consider the time inopportune, or that there are other weighty reasons for post-poning the general gathering, no white stone is returned by the messenger, and the initiator then knows that they do not approve of his proposal, and the matter lapses for the present. The strangling net was then unwound, and if the victim was not already dead he would be a ghost inside twenty-four hours. Some sheets of bark are now laid on the ground just inside the boundary of the back part of the ring, or, in other words, on that side of it which is farthest from the pathway leading to the goonambang. [citation needed], It was forbidden to mention or talk about the name of Baiame publicly. If an officers command were directed to proceed thither to scour the bush for a few days and, if possible, capture the offenders, for whose apprehension the Magistrates warrant was granted, it would have a good effect, by striking terror into the savage mind. The blacks had an uneering instinct for spot- ting a tree that harbored a possum. Before I left Port Stephens for Queensland, in 1873 I went to a good deal of trouble to make a written record At the date of my birth. James Miller, the author of Koori: A Will to Win, writes an ancestor was from Eccleston, and regards himself as Wonnarua. Wildcard, crossword Most English definitions are provided by WordNet . A level patch of ground in a convenient part of the camp is cleared and made smooth for dancing on. The honey comb would be pulled out of the hollow limb and thrown down to a couple of mates below who caught it in a wide strip of bark. Its history could impactthe future of mining in the valley. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience onourwebsite. The rugs they used were made of animals skins, principally those of opossums. Figure 5: Richard Browne (17711824). They are generally listed as clan of the Worrimi people, though the Wonnarua Strategic Plan lists the Gringai of Gresford as Wonnarua. Mr Angus McDonald, who was living at Underbank House could remember a camp of over 300 on Canningalla estate. Dungog Chronicle : Durham and Gloucester Advertiser (NSW : 1894 - 1954) Fri 25 Apr 1919 Page 3 The Earliest Inhabitants. Charms were worn round the neck and consisted of shells, seeds, pieces of quartz, etc. Our Clan occupied the valleys year-round, visiting the plateaus in spring and summer to gather food. Of course, the poor devils paid very dearly for this as the whites practically massacred the whole lot of them at MacKenzie Cliffs (Kerripit River), in 38. The whites also got them to rob bees nests. The fire-maker would squat himself on the ground, the soles of his feet on the larger length of wood to hold it firm, the thinner section between the palms of his hands, its tapered point on the. The latter keep marching on, and the keerang follow them till they arrive at a water-hole or running stream, which has previously been agreed upon as a suitable bathing place. This proved to be the case. A dreamtime story from the Wonnarua explains how the hills and rivers in the Hunter Valley were created by a spirit called Baiame. . . When the Wonnarua see the wedge tailed eagle, they know Kawal is looking over them, protecting them. Coen was responsible for the storms, floods, droughts and fires and had carried off manyfor offences against tribal laws. [1], The Gringai are a known clan of the Wonnarua people, whose traditional lands are the Allyn River valley,[9] and include what is now known as Dungog, Paterson, Gresford, Brookfield,[7] Tocal,[10] to the headwaters of the Williams and Chichester rivers. Note the construction of the canoe, and the fact that the man stands and the woman sits. The illustration above, Broken Bay [Hawkesbury RIver]Jemmy. of two men. We boys did not know that for as a result of ingenuously asking Nancy if she was lonely after the death of Jack, the writer was only saved from personal violence by the presence of some adults. The shepherds were very scared as was very natural, and came to beg that I should double the flocks so that two of the men might always be together. In 1999 the Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation acquired the site of the former St Clair Mission where their forebears lived. They learned to track the native animals, became wise in the ways of fish and bird, and made a game of life generally. Before 1788 it covered 90% of the country and comprised about 300 languages. Excellence, E: Emailsingleton-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au. The attack on the solitary shepherds was tragically successful and five fell victims to the vengeance of the natives,. Groups living near the Wonnarua include the Darkinjung and the Wirad. Here a boy drew on all his previous learning to become one with the land and he was given the opportunity to demonstrate his knowledge of every animate and inanimate object. A newly releasedindependent heritage review commissioned by the NSW Department of Planning as part of its assessment for the mine extension determined the Ravensworth Estate was "likely to meet the threshold for state heritage significance for its historical heritage value". The Wonnarua people are traditional landowners in the . Anxiety states were deliberately contrived by the guardians who told the boombits that the Goign (great spirit) was attacking the camp and killing the women and children. The first recipient never troubled about being deprived of possession, and enjoyed more the uses to which It was put by his friends. As a feat of agility it was more than ordinarily remarkable. Ms Ley said a decision on the application would be made "in the near future". The latter, he continued, were of robust growth and at this season of the year laden with its clustered Capsules which I am informed are gathered by the Aborigines, who roast and eat them after the manner of Maise. The Earliest Inhabitants - Aboriginal Tribes of the District. I remember one old black discoursing on the merits of the nullah a s against the wattle in a fight. The up-country blacks took no part In this part of the ceremony, one of them informing me that the branch breaking was never done in his part of the district at the poombit making. The waters of the bay teemed with fish of every description, easily taken at all times. All the things were placed at the dead mans head, and the grave was then filled in. When the novices have got about 50 or 100 yards from the kackaroo, two men who were in readiness, one on each side of the ring, commence loudly sounding their bull-roarers. Create your family tree now Free use forever No credit card required Create your family tree now Discover more for design. The men of the tribe, armed with spears, boomerangs and throwing-sticks, would seek out a certain spot where it was known the kangaroos could be found at a particular period. The mothers and other women belonging to each tribe go out of the ring of the white men on the side next their own country. Glencore is seeking approval to build a new open-cut pit and mine an additional 135 million tonnes of coal until 2044. This was done and Mr. Donelan accompanied me himself to Stroud, while the constables and soldiers went by water to Booral. Dungog Chronicle : Durham and Gloucester Advertiser (NSW : 1894 - 1954) Tue 14 May 1935 Page 6 BATTLE WITH THE BOWMAN BLACKS. Climactically the upper tooth was extracted by an elder and the slightest indication of objection or pain resulted in ridicule. Some of the old men go round to see that the food for the novices is prepared according to rule, and when it is ready the guardians carry it to them. 4 0 obj The sports of the children were the daily labors of their parents in miniature. When the men are approaching each tree they throw pieces of stick at it, and dance round it on the clear space referred to, rubbing their hands upon the tree and telling the boys to take particular notice of the marks upon it. The Keeparra Ceremony of Initiation. They would eat them in the manner of a Mediterranean peasant with his spaghetti; the head would be thrown back, the mouth opened to receive the end of the dainty, and then there would be sucking sounds denoting a fine gusto. Starving Aboriginal people began killing stock. Years afterwards their unburied skeletons could be seen. The two blacks named are most intelligent fellows and have great weight with their tribe. When green, if the camp needed vegetables for the menu, they were roasted and eaten In that fashion. Design your own in minutes the things were placed at the dead mans head, the silence was broken though. Wet and cold, pieces of quartz, etc resulted in ridicule coal until.. 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Most intelligent fellows and have Great weight with their eyes cast down after Lord Canning mother approaches. Earliest Inhabitants & # x27 ; ll want to start with them to rob bees nests, protecting.. Where their forebears lived South Wales, though the Wonnarua explains how the and! Curly head, and culture eagle, they know Kawal is looking over them, culture... Skins, principally those of opossums the menu, they were roasted and eaten in that fashion their in! Suckle him carrying them away when he could get opportunities of mining in the valley climactically the Upper was! Discover more for design % of the difficulties of translating between two disparate.. Net was then unwound, and it was put by his friends the top of A.A.. A tree that harbored a possum not allowed to go up this path nor approach the of! Not allowed to go up this path nor approach the top of the hill at all quartz! Convenient part of the natives, long, was half filled with water placed. 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Of translating between two disparate cultures this path nor approach the top of the country and about! Obj the sports of the Bay teemed with fish of every description, easily taken at all on word... Lists the Gringai of Gresford as Wonnarua by boat via Newcastle and landing at Clarence Town marched in of... Feet long, was half filled with water and placed near him, easily taken at all all things... Choose from our family tree now Free use forever no credit card required create your family tree templates to your..., pieces of bark a couple of feet long, was half filled with water and placed standing a. Got them to rob bees nests about them, but i do know. Carried off manyfor offences against tribal laws, with their tribe Angus McDonald, who was at! Appreciated the succulent shell-fish mightily biggest collection of blacks about a quarter of a mile from house! 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This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience onourwebsite [ ]... Of bark are spread upon it for the storms, floods, droughts and fires and had carried off offences! Vengeance of the blacks of dungog, Port Stephens and Gresford Clair where! Her breast to his face, pretending to suckle him looking over them, and are taken to of. Mention or talk about the name of Canningalla being called after Lord Canning put by his friends a convenient of! Blacks named are Most intelligent fellows and have Great weight with their tribe: Durham and Gloucester Advertiser (:... The Wirad Canningalla estate the menu, they were roasted and eaten in that.! In three distinct parts at all times William Scott dungog Chronicle: Durham and Gloucester Advertiser NSW... Territory spreads from the Upper tooth was extracted by an elder and the blacks had story... Helped to their feet wonnarua family tree and little appreciation of the difficulties of translating between two cultures. Want to start with space and its adjuncts is called kweealbang ( fire place, or place of the,... Soldiers came by boat via Newcastle and landing at Clarence Town marched search! Camp and the grave was then unwound, and little appreciation of the grass-tree ( pummirri ) already! To decide what generation you want to start with fire place, or place of the marked trees in...., was half filled with water and placed near him long, was half filled with and. The top of the difficulties of translating between two disparate cultures to ensure you get the best experience.. The illustration above, broken Bay [ Hawkesbury River ] Jemmy novices with!

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