Book Description

V.1, chap.2; Lake Eyre region & the Urabunna tribe; Tjantjiwanperta camp; two classes, marriage regulations, totems, descent; account of ceremony for increase of snakes, gives two lines of song (no translation); final ceremony of initiation scarification, myth relating to scars representing the bell bird, three lines of song; chap.3; From Oodnadatta to Charlotte Waters; chap.4; Animal and plant of the Lower Steppes - notes on the water bearing frog; origin of the dingo; chap.5; Charlotte Waters to the Macdonnell Ranges (Arunta) collection of Claytonia seeds for foods, use of grinding stones; tradition relating to site at Engurdina; totem centre at Undiarra (east of Henbury), legend, rock paintings, kangaroo increase ceremony; chap.6; The desert region of Lake Amadeus - rock paintings George Gill Ranges; pitchuri plant used as narcotic & for catching emus, trading; names of native wells; Ayers Rock - Luritja family; paintings - description given of 17 figures, drawings in caves; digging for honey ants; Mount Olga - setting fire to grass to aid catching animals, method of cleaning & cooking kangaroo, division of food; chap.7; The Higher Steppes lizards as food; Finke River Gorge (Arunta & Luritja tribes); chap.8; The Arunta natives and some of their customs and beliefs - methods of carrying children, childhood training, physical characters, hair form & dressing, body ornaments (men & women), notes on moieties, marriage rules, relationship terms; Arunta origin belief, totemic groups; Ertnatulunga place for keeping ritual objects, nature and meaning of designs on 16 ritual objects of Arunta, Warramunga, Kaitish, Urabunna, Luritja tribes; rain making ceremony at Charlotte Waters, body decorations described; chap.9; Alice Springs and the Arunta - native family at Ooraminna, camp life, fire making (2 methods given), weapons - stone axe, flaked stone knife, spear & spearthrower, boomerangs; description of corroboree (Altherta) called Tjitjingalla; account of avenging expedition, tribal fights.