Box 5/Item 21: Notebook re. Aboriginal languages, sign language, songs and tribes, undated - Page 25

Altchera Kata           Head of

                                                       all creation

Altjerra-inga                 walk of all time

                                                          of ancestors and gods

Fighting:-

Gins use the "Rutturu" on Victoria

River to settle their quarrels. The parties

strike the ground near opponent's feet,

abusing each other with a continuous

string of the ford(?) language. At any time,

after excitement has increased, one may

prepare to strike, the other parties, turn

about. Fingers and head seem favourite marks.

Often change the blowing attitude and

attempt to stab opponent's head with

point of Rutturu. If blood is drawn

the wounded cries louder than ever

in disgust and, collecting the blood in

her hands flings it into the face of

opponent. Hot ashes are often snatched

up with small mikas and hurled into

opponent's face, coveing her head, hair

and face with white hot ash. The men

become uncomfortably quiet, look worries,

the children wail loudly, and all the