Page:Dawson - Australian aborigines (1900).djvu/19

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attempting to ascertain the numbers of individuals in the different tribes, it has been found almost impossible to make the aborigines comprehend or compute very large numbers, or even to obtain, from the very few now alive, an approximate estimate of the aggregate strength of the tribes of the Western district previous to the occupation of the country by the white man. It has been found necessary to ascertain from some of the most intelligent middle-aged persons among them, first, the number of friendly tribes which met annually in midsummer for hunting, feasting, and amusements,—occasions of all others the most likely to draw together the largest gatherings,—and then the average strength of each tribe.

These great meetings were held at Mirraewuae, a large marsh celebrated for emus and other kinds of game, not many miles to the west of Caramut. This place was selected on account of its being a central position for the meetings of the tribes occupying the districts now known as the Wannon, Hamilton, Dunkeld, Mount William, Mount Rouse, Mount Napier, Lake Condah, Dunmore, Tarrone, Kangatong, Spring Creek, Framlingham, Lake Boloke, Skipton, Flat-topped Hill, Mount Shadwell, Darlington, Mount Noorat, Camperdown, Wardy Yallock, and Mount Elephant. None of the sea coast tribes attended the meetings at Mirraewuae, as they were afraid of treachery and of an attack on the part of the others. According to the testimony of the intelligent old chief Weeratt Kuyuut, and his equally intelligent daughter Yarruum Parpurr Tarmeen, and her husband, Wombeet Tuulawarn, when two of these tribes fought a pitched battle, each mustered at least thirty men; and for every able-bodied warrior present (and no one durst absent himself on such an occasion under the penalty of death) there would be at least three members absent, as the old men, women, children and invalids were kept at home; thus making an average of one hundred and twenty in each tribe; and, as the twenty-one tribes enumerated were generally present, there must occasionally have been the large gathering of two thousand five hundred and twenty aborigines.