Chapter 2

Phratry. A man. Marries Sons and Daughters. A _Murri_ _Ippatha_ _Umbi_ and _Butha_. _Kubbi_ _Butha_ _Ippai_ and _Ippatha_. B _Ippai_ _Matha_ _Kubbi_ and _Kubbitha_. _Umbi_ _Kubbitha_ _Murri_ and _Matha_.

Although marriages generally follow the above rules, yet in certain cases Murri can marry Butha, and Kubbi may take Ippatha as his spouse-- a similar liberty being allowed the men of phratry B. Again, where there is no objection arising from nearness of kin, a Murri man may marry a Matha woman, but her totem must be different from his, and she must belong to a distant family. This applies to the men of every section. By the strict letters of the foregoing table, it would appear that the child of a brother can marry the child of a sister, but this is rigorously forbidden--the table being construed to mean that a brother's child's child marries a sister's child's child.

Each phratry has attached to it a group of _totems_, consisting of animals and inanimate objects. Every man, woman, and child in the community has his particular totem, which is inherited from birth. For further information on this subject the reader is referred to numerous papers contributed by me to different scientific societies.

The Ngunawal Language.

The native tribes speaking the Ngunawal tongue occupy the country from Goulburn to Yass and Burrowa, extending southerly to Lake George and Goodradigbee.

In a contribution to the Anthropological Society at Washington in 1896, described the Bunan ceremony,[11] an elaborate type of initiation practised by the Ngunawal in common with other communities. In 1900 I published an account of the Kudsha[12] or Kuddya, an abridged form of inaugural ceremony which is likewise in force among the same people. The social organisation regulating marriage and descent, which I described in the last mentioned article,[13] also applies to the Ngunawal.

The Ngunawal is one of an aggregate of tribes whose sacred songs I have learnt and published, with the accompanying music, in an article I communicated to the Royal Geographical Society of Queensland in 1901.[14] These are the first sacred songs of the Australian Aborigines which have ever been set to music.

_Nouns_.

_Number_.--Nouns have three numbers. _Mirri_, a dog; _mirribula_, a couple of dogs; _mirridyimma_, several dogs.

_Gender_.--_Baual_, a man; _bullan_, a woman. Words for "male" and "female" distinguish the gender of animals, as, _gurabun muddun_, a bear, male; _gurabun dhuruk_, a bear, female.

_Case_.--The principal cases are the nominative, causative, instrumental, genitive, accusative, dative and ablative.

The nominative is the name of the sbuject at rest, and is without flexion.

The causative, or nominative-agent, represents the subject in action, as, _bullanga gudha ngubumuiñ_, a woman a child beat.

_Instrumental_.--_Baualga burraingu nguburiñ dyuiñga_, a man a wallaby killed with a spear. Here the instrument, a spear, takes the same suffix as the causative. The wallaby, _burrai_, takes the genitive affix, as being the possessor or recipient of the killing.

_Accusative_.--Except in such instances as the wallaby in the last example, the accusative is the same as the nominative.

The genitive case is represented by an affix to the name of the property as well as to that of the owner, a peculiarity which I was the first to report[15] in Australian languages. _Baualngu mirriwung_, a man's dog.

Every object over which ownership may be exercised can be declined for number and person, as under:-- Singular 1st Person My dog (dog my) _Mirridya_. 2nd " Thy dog _Mirridyi_. 3rd " His dog _MIrriwung_. and so on through all the persons of the dual and plural.

If a couple or more articles be claimed, an infix is inserted between the noun root and the possessive affix, thus: _Mirribuladya_, dogs both mine; _mirridyimmadya_, dogs several mine.

_Dative_.--_Ngurani munnagai_, to the camp come.

_Ablative_.--_Ngurawurradyi yerribiwurri_, from the camp go away.

_Adjectives_.

Adjectives follow the qualified nouns, and are inflected in the same manner for number and case. _Buru mununmang_, a kangaroo large; _burubula mununbula_, a couple of large kangaroos; _burudyimma munundyimma_, several large kangaroos.

_Casuative._--_Baualga mununga mirri ngubuningga_, a man large a dog will beat. The other cases are also declined like the nouns. Frequently one of the affixes, both in number and case, is omitted sometimes the affix of the noun, and in other instances that of the adjective, being thus eliminated, according to the euphony of the expression.

A predicative adjective becomes an intransitive verb, and is conjugated accordingly. An example in the singular will be sufficient:

Singular 1st Person I am large _Mununmangga_. 2nd " Thou art large _Mununmandyi_. 3rd " He is large _Mununmañ_.

Comparison of adjecitves is effected by such expressions as, _Gudba ngunu, yeddhung nin_, bad this, good that. _Yeddhung madi ngunu_, this is very good.

_Pronouns_.

These are declined for number, person and case, but are without gender. They contain the inclusive and exclusive forms in the first person of the dual and plural:

Singular 1st Person I _Gulangga_. 2nd " Thou _Gulandyi_. 3rd " He _Dhanu_.

Examples in the dual and plural are omitted, as their terminations will appear in the conjugation of the verbs. The foregoing full forms of the pronouns are used chiefly in answer to a question. In ordinary conversation the pronominal suffixes to verbs, nouns and other parts of speech, supply their place.

Towards, or with, me, _gulangguria_. Away from me, _gulangguridyia_. Belonging to me, _gulangguia_. Myself, _mittimbaldya_, and so on. All these can be inflected for number and person.

_Demonstratives_.--These may be classed under different heads, of which the following are a few examples:

_Position_.--_Ngunu_, this, close. _Ngunubun_, this also. _Niñ_, that. _Niñwulu_, that only. _Wurranaguddha_, that, a little way off. _Warranandiwang_, that, farther still. _Mudhamaguwarri_, a long way off.

_Direction_.--_Ngunaga_, that (in rear of speaker). _Barunggo_, that (in front of speaker). _Ngunainbil_, that this side (of something). _Nguna-au_, that on other side (of something). _Gagurwarru_, that in the hollow. _Warrugunnawang_, that on the rising ground, or hill.

_Size_.--_Warranalang_, that large one. _Warranuggada_, that small one.

_Possessive_.--_Ningulangu_, belonging to that. _Warranalangu_, belonging to that large one. _Nidyulangu_, belonging to those two persons.

_Number_.--_Warranungulu_, those two. _Warradyimmilañ_, those several animals or things.

_Person_.--_Ngunadya_, this mine. _Ngunadyi_, this thine. _Ngunawung_, this his.

"This" and "that" in all the foregoing examples can also mean "here" and "there" according to the context.

_Interrogatives_.--Who, _ngunnaga?_ Whose, _ngunnagangu?_ Who from, _ngunnaganguridyi?_ What, _minya?_ What (did something), _minyaga?_

_Verbs_.

The verb has the usual moods and tenses, and is inflected throughout for number and person. In the first person of the dual and plural there is a variation in the affix to the verb to indicate the inclusion or exclusion of the person spoken to.

_Indicative Mood_--_Present Tense_.

Singular 1st Person I beat _Ngubumangga_. 2nd " Thou beatest _Ngubumandyi_. 3rd " He beats _Ngubumañ_. Dual 1st Person We, incl., beat _Ngubumanga_. We, excl., beat _Ngubumangalu_. 2nd " You beat _Ngubumanbu_. 3rd " They beat _Ngubumanbula_. Plural 1st Person We, incl. beat, _Ngubumanyin_. We, excl. beat, _Ngubumanyilla_. 2nd " You beat _Ngubumanhu_. 3rd " They beat _Ngubumandyula_.

_Past Tense_.

1st Person I beat, indefinite _Nguburingga_. Singular, I beat recently _Ngubumuingga_. I beat going along _Ngubunyirringga_. I beat long ago _Nguburiangga_.

_Future_.

I will beat, indefinite _Ngubuningga_. I will beat soon _Ngubumunningga_.

The inflections extend through all the persons and numbers of the past and future tenses by means of the suffixed particles shown in the present tense.

_Imperative_.

Singular Beat thou _Ngubi_. Dual Beat you _Ngubidyaiau_. Plural Beat you _Ngubidyaianhu_. Negative or prohibitive Beat not _Ngubimuga_.

_Conditional Mood_.

Perhaps I will beat _Ngubuninggawundu_.

_Reflexive_.

I am beating myself _Ngubuwillimangga_. I was beating myself _Ngubuwilliringga_. I will beat myself _Ngubuwilliningga_. and so on for the other persons and numbers. Imperative.--Beat thyself _Ngubuwilli_.

_Reciprocal_.

Dual We, excl., beat each other _Ngubuwillaringalung_. Plural We, excl., beat each other _Ngubuwillarinyilla_.

_Imperative reciprocal_.

Dual Beat each other _Ngubilliau_. Plural Beat each other _Ngubillianhu_.

An infix, _muga_, between the stem of the verb and the termination, gives a negative meaning, as, _Ngubumugamangalu_, we, dual exclusive, did not beat.

There is no passive form of the verb, all sentences being in the active voice, thus, instead of saying, "A boomerang was thrown by the man," the phrase would be, "The man threw a boomerang."

The verb is inflected for the same number as the noun. A kangaroo saw I, _buru nangurringga_. A pair of kangaroos saw I, _burumbla nangurringbla_. Several kangaroos saw I, _burulula nangurringdyula_.

Different shades of meaning are imparted to verbs by additions to the affixes: I was eating going along, _dhaimballinyirrimuingga_. I beat before (some event), _ngubururingawung_. I beat after (some event), _ngubullaringawung_. I threw frequently, _yerrimbillidyingga_. I was throwing alone, _yerrilimuingga_. I am always beating, _ngubadyingga_.

_Adverbs_.

Yes, _ngi_. No, _gurragañ_. Now, _yanggu_. Yesterday, _burranda_. By and by, _gaugau_. Long ago, _nudyina_. Always, _bulu_.

How, _ngindyin_. How many, or what number, _wunnamalañ_. Where, _wunda_. Certainly, _ganni_. Then, _yanbi_. Very or really, _madi_. Perhaps, _wundu_. Not, _muga_. When, _wundiñ_.

Certain adverbs can be inflected for person and number, thus: Where shall I go? _Wundayerrabunningga?_ Where shalt thou go? _Wundayerrabunnindyi?_ Where shall he go? _Wundayerrabunniñ?_ and so on for all persons and numbers.

_Prepositions_.

On top, _gunna_. Down, _dhugga_. Between, _dhuri_. Behind me, _bengalwarria_. Outside, _bunnungga_. Out of that, _barridyi_. In rear of me, _wullingaia_. In here, _ngunnâ_. In or under there, _ngunniñ_.

Words meaning "is here," "was here," "will be here," also exist in this language.

Many prepositions can be inflected for number and person: Singular 1st Person In front of me _Ngunalundya_. 2nd " In front of thee _Ngunalundyi_. 3rd " In front of him _Ngunalung_. and so on through the dual and plural.

_Exclamations_.

_Ya!_ calling attention.--_Bungamugi_, cease!

_Numerals_.

One, _meddhung_. Two, _bullâla_.

Vocabulary of Wiradyuri Words.

This vocabulary contains about 430 words collected personally among the Wiradyuri natives on the Lachlan, Macquarie, and Murrumbidgee rivers. Instead of arranging the words alphabetically they are placed together under separate headings:--Family terms--Parts of the body-- Natural objects--Animals--Trees--Weapons--Adjectives--Verbs. As the equivalents of English terms will most frequently be required they are put first.[16]

FAMILY TERMS.

A man _gibir_ or _mên_. Old man _bidyar_. Husband _nguban_. Clever man _wiardhuri_. Young man _walwi_. Small boy _gibirgang_. Woman _inar_ or _bulâdyeru_. Old woman _buddung_. Girl _gunnadhurai_. Child, either sex _burai_. Father _bubbin_. Mother _guni_. Elder brother _gagang_. Younger brother _galbumañ_. Elder sister _min-gan_. Younger sister _barrigan_. Infirm old person _gugun_.

PARTS OF THE BODY.

Head _bullang_. Forehead _ngulung_. Hair of head _wuran_. Beard _yerrañ_. Eye _mill_. Eyebrow _nyer_. Eyelid _milk-kuruganna_. Eyelash _dyirmir_. Nose _murudha_. Nostrils _mirral-mirril_. Cheek _dhuggal_. Lower jaw _nhami_. Back of neck _nhun_. Throat _guddhe_. Ear _wudha_. Mouth _nguñ_. Lips _willin_. Tongue _thallun_. Teeth _irang_. Liver _guralu_. Kidneys _mûnggar_. Breasts, female _ngammung_. Heart _gêñ_. Navel _birrañ_. Navel-string _gural_. Belly _burbing_. Ribs _dhur_. Middle of back _wangan_. Back _birra_. Shoulder _wulgar_. Arm _buggur_. Elbow _nyuna_. Armpit _gilgin_. Hand _murra_. Wrist _dhummal_. Little finger _budyen_. Thumb _gunin_. Finger nail _yulu_. Calf of leg _wuluma_. Thigh _dhurrang_. Knee _bûngang_. Kneecap _gurigurer_. Shin _buyu_. Foot _dyinnang_. Big toe _gunin_. Heel _dhungang_. Intestines _bûrbiñ_. Blood _gô-añ_. Fat _wammo_. Skin _yulun_. Bone _dhubbul_. Buttocks _mugun_. Anus _bubul_. Groin _gulin_. Penis _dhûn_. Glans penis _nyiren_. Testicles _biddha_. Sexual desire _wurrunha_. Fornication _yungurrang_. Vulva _thundu_. Nymphæ _dyurun_. Meatus urinarius _munil_. Pubic hair _bui_. Copulation _tharralabena_. Semen _gubbung_. Masturbation _kuddiguddimunna_. Urine _kil_. Excrement _kuna_. Venereal _buggin_.

NATURAL OBJECTS.

Sun _yêre_. Moon _gyu-wong_. Stars, collectively _mimma_. Pleiades _inar-inharr_. Venus _gibirguñ_. Rainbow _yulubirgiñ_. Clouds _yuru_. Sky _gununggullung_. Thunder _muruburrai_. Lightning _maru_. Rain _yurung_. Dew _gûnggil_. Mist _guddhalbar_. Fog _guang_. Snow _gunama_. Frost _dyuggar_. Hail _ilwurrai_. Cloud _yurong_. Water _gulling_. Ground _dhuggun_. Mud _bingan_. Stones _wallung_. High hill _dyirrama_. Sand-hill _gurrai_. Light _ngullan_. Sunshine _iradadhuna_. Darkness _buruandhang_. Heat _wugil_. Cold _bulludhai_. Fire _wi_. Smoke _guddhal_. Camp _ngurung_. Hut _gundyi_. Food _dhungang_. Flesh _dhiñ_. Watercourse _dhurrang_. Grass, collectively _bogarru_. Trees, collectively _gigil_. Bark of trees _dhurang_. Firewood _gigil_. Ashes _bunuñ_. Charcoal _ngurra_. Leaves of trees _gurril_. Eggs _kubbuga_. Honey _ngurru_. Edible grub _dhumun_. Pathway _muru_. Shadow _guramun_. Tail of animal _dhun_. Echo _warrul_. Fur of opossum, etc. _gidyung_. Spines of porcupine _girrigul_. Scales of fish _yirin_.

ANIMALS--_Mammals_.

Native bear _burrandang_. Wombat _bunggada_. Dog _burumain_ or _mirri_. Wild dog _yuke_. Opossum _womboran_ or _wille_. Water rat _biggun_. Kangaroo rat _gulbo_. Native cat (black & white) _mâbi_. Native cat (yellow & white_ _dhalbirrang_. Porcupine _gunyi_. Wallaby _murriwan_ Flying fox _bullauir_. Platypus _dhumbirrity_. Bandicoot _gudyun_. Flying squirrel, small _budharung_. Ringtail opossum _gindang_. Kangaroo _womboin_. Wallaroo _gundharwar_. Red kangaroo _murri_.

ANIMALS--_Birds_.

Birds, collectively _dyibbiñ_. Crow _wâgan_. Laughing jackass _guguburra_. Curlew _gurebun_. Plain turkey _gumbal_. Mallee hen _yûnggai_. Quail _gunâma_. Plain lark _dyilburi_. Lark _buraigarama_. Eaglehawk _mullian_. Emu _nguruñ_. Native companion _burolgang_. Common magpie _gurruba_. Black magpie _wibu_. Peewee _guliridyi_. Black duck _budhanbang_. Pelican _gulaiguli_. Ibis _bururgen_. Swan _dhûndhu_. Mopoke _ngugung_. Pigeon (bronze wing) _yammar_ or _wubba_. Rosella parrot _bulanbulangang_. Ground parrot _burañ_. Green parrot _gunungburdyang_. Parrokeet _dhungañ_. Common hawk _walga_. Fish hawk _bibbidya_. Kingfisher _dhalir_. White cockatoo _murañ_. Plover _bullaradyara_. Blue crane _murgu_. Grey crane _burragang_ or _gungarung_.

ANIMALS--_Fishes_.

Perch _gagalen_. Black bream _gubir_.

ANIMALS--_Reptiles_.

Tree iguana _gugar_. Ground iguana _guda_ or _dhuli_. Jew lizard _nhurran_. Sleepy lizard _burrendhar_. Shingle-back lizard _buggai_. Death adder _dhummiñ_. Frog _gulangga_. Turtle _gudumang_. Carpet snake _yubba_. Black snake _Kullendyuliñ_ or _budhang_. Brown snake _warraleng_. Common grey lizard _guddhañ_.

ANIMALS--_Invertebrates_.

Locust, large _kalangkalang_ Locust, small _inggal_. Blowfly _buga_. Louse _munhu_. Nit of louse _thundin_. Jumper ant _yalgo_. Bulldog ant _burungang_. Centipede _gen_. Mosquito _kummun_. Scorpion _dhunbuñ_. Greenheaded ant _gunama_. Mussel _bindugañ_.

TREES AND PLANTS.

A "squeaking-tree" _maburan_. Leaning tree _dhalgang_. Dead tree _yalgu_. Hollow tree _ngarl_. Apple tree _gubbut_. Stringy bark _gûndai_. Wattle _yanagang_. Ironbark _muggar_. Yellow-box _bargang_. White-box _biri_. Cherry-tree _bumborean_. White gum _yarra_. Jeebung _bumbadhulla_.

WEAPONS.

Tomahawk _dhauain_. Koolamin _marin_. Yamstick _kunnai_. Spear, wood _thuli_. Spear, reed _dyirril_. Spear-thrower _wommar_. Spear, shield _girran-girran_. Waddy shield _ngummal_. Fighting club _bundi_. Hunting club _birrang_. Boomerang _burgan_, _bulgang_. Net bag _kalbon_. Fish net _mia_. Nose-peg _bun-gal_.

ADJECTIVES.