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[Page 165]
INSTITUTIONS AND LAWS
I. - THE BORA
The great national institution of the Australian Aborigines is the Bora - by some pronounced Boor-rah, - The rite of initiation into the duties and privileges of manhood. The sacredness of this immemorial rite, and the indispensable obligation to submit to it are most deeply impress on the minds of the young Aborigines. Even when they enter the service of the squatters or the settlers, and so in great measure break off from association with their own people, they seem to be bound by an irresistible spell to submit, at the prescribed time, in spite of all that can be done to dissuade them, to their national rite.
The Bora is held whenever there is a considerable number of youths of an age to be admitted to the rank of manhood. Old Billy Murrī Bundar, at Burburgate, told me that the Creator, "Baiame," long ago, commanded the people to keep the Bora, and gave them the Dhūrumbūlum, of sacred want, for this purpose. He said any one of the men might demand that a Bora be held. Then they consult as to the place, and choose one of their number to be the dictator or manage of the solemnity. This dictator sends a man round to all the tribes who are expected to join in the ceremony. This herald bears in his hand a boomerang and a spear with a murriia (padymelon) skin hanging upon it. Sometimes all the men within twenty miles are summoned; sometimes a much larger circuit is included. And, as my venerable informant, Billy, told me, every one that is summoned must attend the Bora, even if he have to travel a hundred miles to do it. It is so done, he said, all over the country, and always will be. The dictator chooses a suitable spot for the purpose, and fixes the day for the opening of the ceremony. The ground is regarded as consecrated to Baiame, and his will is obeyed in carrying out the service. Notice is given three weeks at least, sometimes three months before the ceremony begins. During the interval the trees on the chosen ground are ornamented with figures of snakes and birds cut with the tomahawk.
When the appointed time is come, the men leave their camps, where the women and youths and children remain. The men assemble at the selected spot, clear away all bushes, and make a semi-circular embankment, or fence. This being done, some of the men go to the camps, pretending to make a hostile attack, on which the women run away, with the children. The young men, and boys over thirteen, go back with the men to the Bora.