Page:Aboriginesofvictoria01.djvu/353

Rh 1. The opossum rug, called Waller-wal-lert. It hung loosely about the body, had a knot at each upper corner, and was fastened by a small stick thrust through holes made by the bone-needle—Min-der-min. It could be cast off in a moment. It was carried or worn when travelling, but in the camp it was usually kept in the miam. In making an opossum rug some skill and knowledge are employed. In the first place, it is necessary to select good, sound, well-clothed skins. These, as they are obtained, are stretched on a piece of bark, and fastened down by wooden or bone pegs, and kept there until they are dry. They are then well scraped with a mussel-shell or a chip of basalt, dressed into proper shape, and sewn together. In sewing them the natives worked from the left to the right—not as Europeans do—and the holes were made with the bone awl or needle, and instead of thread they used the sinews of some animal—most often the sinews of the tail of the kangaroo.

The rug was usually ornamented on the inside. Lines straight, of herring-bone pattern, or sometimes representing men and animals, were drawn with a sharp bone-needle, and filled in with color.

2. The band around the forehead, called Leek-leek. In this band is placed a feather from the native companion, the eagle, or the lyre-bird. Sometimes the native put his tomahawk, or some other small article, in this band; but the tomahawk was usually carried in the belt that is worn about the waist.

The Leek-leek was usually made of the sinews of the tail of the kangaroo, but often of the sinews of other animals, if these could not be obtained. The Leek-leek was fashioned by the women, as a rule; but young men often amused themselves by making this ornament.

3. The bone, or a piece of reed, worn in the septum of the nose, called Noute-kower. The bone of some animal—generally a bone somewhat curved—three or more inches in length, was passed through a hole made in the septum of the nose, and carried joyfully, as something likely to gain favor with both sexes.

4. The reed-necklace. Reeds cut into short pieces—of different lengths and different diameters—were strung on twine made of the wool of the opossum, or of some fibre, and hung round the neck in many folds, falling in some cases quite down to the chest. The reed-necklace was called Kourn-burt. Another necklace, worn sometimes, was made of the sinews of the legs of the emu. This was formed into a kind of net, and was called Kour-ur-run.

5. The ornaments worn around the loins. Strips of the skin of some animal, fashioned as shown in Fig. 22, were tied with some fibre around the loins, so as to conceal the lower parts of the body in front and behind. These ornaments were called Murri-guile.

6. The band around the arm, called Yel-un-ket-ur-uk. A band made of the skin of a small flying squirrel (Tuin-tuin) was fastened around the arm to give strength.