Page:The Native Tribes of South Australia (1879).djvu/240

166 particulars respecting this principal personage in their mythology were obtained from various conversations with some of the oldest and most intelligent men. His name is "Monaincherloo," and he is also styled "Teendo yerle," sunfather. He is supposed to have made the sun, moon, stars, men, and "plenty of things," by which is probably meant all things. No one made or created him. He is above in the heavens, and did not ascend from the earth, but has always been above. The next being, in point of rank, is one called "Monana," and of him is related a most curious tradition. "Konoocha," the native from whom I first received the information, stated that his "yerleeta," great grandfather or ancestor, handed down the following account of "Monana." "He was one day throwing large spears in various directions, east, west, north, south; when, having thrown one upwards, it did not return to the earth. He then threw another, and another, and so continued throwing; each spear sticking fast to the former one until they reached the ground, and he climbed up by them to the sky, where he has ever since remained." He was evidently a mortal, who thus accomplished his immortality. This tradition has been so often and so distinctly repeated to me, that I entertain not the slightest doubt of the correctness of it. The sun, "teendo," is said to be a female, having several sisters; all of whom shed a malevolent influence over mankind. One of the evils inflicted by this malignant being is a very painful cough, which is most likely the result of pulmonary disease, and, consequently, often fatal. When very ill, the sick person expectorates into the palm of his hand, and offers the sputa to the sun. If she is inclined to be propitiated, the patient is soon relieved; but, if the reverse, she says, "Noornte oornte, wirrilla pallōne ningko," "Go away, quickly dead you." The moon, "karkāra," is understood to be of the male sex; and, as far as I have ascertained, is a benevolent being to whom no particular influence is ascribed. Of the sun and moon it is said, "Tikkán teendo, wandeen ōlte, karkara tatteen, boora pallōn." The sun sits (or, is permanent), but rests or sleeps at night. The moon climbs, by-and-by is dead. It is thus believed there is literally a new