Page:The Native Tribes of South Australia (1879).djvu/306

 228 THE PORT LINCOLN TRIBE. observe these injunctions, they should spear him, throw him into the fire, or do other dreadful things to him. In the course of the day during the early part of which the ceremony has been performed, the warrara is covered all over with human blood, and on the following morning he is ceremoniously introduced to the women. For this purpose, every man provides himself with a handful of green grass, enclosing in it a few live coals, so as to cause a thick smoke, and they then march in a long single line (having the warrara in the middle), waving the smoking grass, and continually shouting "Erri, Erri, " to the encampment of the women, who during the preceding night have slept separate from the men. On their arrival in front of the women, after describing a wide circle once or twice, they draw up in a solid body, and throw the smoking grass in a heap. This is carried to one of the women who has been especially appointed to receive the warrara, and the latter is conducted backwards to her by his yumbo or attendant, and made to sit down on the heap of grass. She then dries, and rubs with her cloak the back of the warrara, which has been previously covered again with blood; and in conclusion, one of the little boys chases him through a lane formed by the body of men, running after him, shouting, and beating two waddies together. For three or more months after this ceremony, the warrara must keep his face blackened with charcoal, speak in low whispers, and avoid the presence of women. To illustrate how early, and systematically, the native children are trained to view these ceremonies with feelings of awe, it may be mentioned, that they are never allowed to approach the spot where a warrara has been made; if such a place should happen to fall in the line that the men are travelling, the little boys are directed to take a round, in order to avoid the sacred spot. About the age of sixteen or seventeen, the second degree, that of a Pardnapa, is conferred on every male. On the morning agreed upon by the men (which is studiously kept secret from the women and children), the appointed attendant of the pardnapa, named Yanmurru, gives the first signal, by embracing the lad