Aborigines of Van Diemen's Land, 1830-1840 - Page 77
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[Page 77]
The manners and customs of the Aborigines of Van Diemen's Land on the Eastern Coast varied from those who resided on the Southern and Western coasts. The latter They had no corrobories (merry makings) or dancing, as had those of the Interior and the Eastern coasts. The latter often used to exercised themselves in violent dancing, displaying wonderful agility, and singing at the same time. The former would sit down quietly engaging in so amusing themselves w in with songs, varying their cadences according to the subject touched on. They would dilate on the happier days when they could hunt on good ground, and when so the voice seemed to be in unison with the subject and the countenance appeared complacent. When they changed to some ws warlike feat, or some evil that had befallen them, the voice corresponded with their affliction, and the countenance became stern. - At the end of every stanza they would pause, and remain in silence for some moments, and then recommence.
With a vocabulary of the languages, I have introduced to a few songs, which although not translated, will suf