Page:The Native Tribes of South Australia (1879).djvu/347

Rh In the meanwhile, boughs are distributed by the pinya to all the men, women, and children, wherewith to make a noise in shaking, so that friends and relatives of the condemned may not hear his groans while he is being executed. The pinya then kill the victim by spearing him and striking him with the two-handed weapon, avoiding to strike him below the hips, as they believe, were they to injure the legs, they would be unable to return home.

The murder being consummated, they wait for daylight, when the young men of the pinya are ordered to lie down. The old men then wash their weapons, and, getting all the gore and flesh adhering to them off, mix it with some water; this agreeable draught being carried round by an old man, who bestows a little upon each young man to swallow, believing that thereby they will be inspired with courage and strength for any pinya they may afterwards join. The fat of the murdered man is cut off and wrapped round the weapons of all the old men, which are then covered with feathers. They then make for home.

If two or more men fight, and one of the number should be accidentally killed, he who caused his death must also suffer it. But should the offender have an elder brother, then he must die in his place; or, should he have no elder brother, then his father must be his substitute; but in case he has no male relative to suffer for him, then he himself must die. He is not allowed to defend himself, nor, indeed, is he aware of when the sentence may be executed. He knows the laws. On some night appointed, an armed party surround and despatch him. Two sticks each of about six inches in length—one representing the killed, and the other the executed—are then buried, and upon no occasion is the circumstance afterwards referred to.

Should a man of influence and well-connected, that is, having numerous relatives, die suddenly, or after a long illness, the tribe believe that he has been killed by some charm. A secret council is held, and some unhappy innocent is accused and condemned, and dealt with by the pinya as previously described.