In some districts they bury the dead with the face towards the east, depositing the arms, &c., of the deceased in the grave, and tying the legs of the corpse to the head, probably to save labour in digging.
Their grave-yards are rather singular. They lay various casts of heads made of gypsum or lime on the graves as marks of friends, and a number of oblong balls connected with each end, and of the same material.
CHAPTER II.
Religion—Massacre of the crew of the “Maria”—Traditions—Cave Figures—Superstitions—Sorcery—Diseases—Poison Revenge—Native Songs—Wit and Humour—Fidelity—Amusements—Corroborees—Weapons—Manufactures—The Bogan Tribes—Native Fruits—Dwellings.
They are a people free from idolatry. One would suppose they would be open to receive the Gospel, but it is not so. They are superstitious, but not over-religious and do not seem to have such a deep sense of sin as idolatrous nations who make expiation, and seek to be reconciled to the Superior Being. This is a singular feature in their character. The North-American Indians are not idolatrous, but have a belief in a Superior Being.
Many writers, amongst these Mr. Bennett, represent them as having no knowledge of a Supreme Being. “They have no knowledge whatever of the existence of a God,” but from my travelling with them I have always considered that they have a belief in a Supreme Being.
I find from the narrative of the Rev. Geo. Taplin, missionary to the aborigines, there is reason to think likewise, although he seems rather doubtful. In religious matters they are superstitious and reserved, therefore it is only by such intercourse with them as Mr. Taplin’s that we are likely to reach correct notions.
He says the Narrinyeri tribes call the Supreme Being by two names, Nurundere and Martummere: “He made all things on earth, and has given to men the weapons of war and hunting. He instituted all rites and ceremonies practised by them connected with life and death. The ceremony of roasting a kangaroo, accompanied by shouting a chorus, and brandishing spears, was instituted by Him.”
Of Nurundere they have many traditions: “He pursued an immense fish in Lake Alexandrina, and having caught it, he tore it into pieces and scattered them; out of these pieces other fish came into being and had their origin. He threw some flat stones into the lake and they became tinuwarre fishes.”
Wyungare, the remarkable hunter, had no father, but only a mother; he was a red man from his infancy. Of Nepelle they have traditions. They were both great hunters. Nepelle sought to revenge himself on Wyungare for having taken his two wives; the latter tried to escape, and fleeing, flung a spear into the heavens with a line attached, and it having stuck there, he hauled himself up; and afterwards, the two women. Three stars are pointed out as Wyungare and his wives.