Item 05: The Cedar Getters and Aborigines as told by Mr Loft, Terania Street, North Lismore, 1855-ca. 1890, written by (Miss) E. Bray, Lismore - Page 5

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used to meet and often fight quite close to Lismore. One day about six hundred of them fought all day till sundown then again part of next day. Only one man was hurt and he was skewered by a spear through his leg & arm. The native doctor rolled him over and pulled it slowly out.

In a bullen bullen or big fight the gavoos [gabbevahs] or young men formed the first regiment and were decorated with sulphur crested cockatoo feathers. The other men formed a second regiment. Their decorations consisted of hair plastered down with honey and comb mixed and made gay with parrots' feathers. Charcoal and grease were used for finishing touches

The ceremony of the making of a gaber or young man was compulsory for all the boys.. Three or fours gins would beat on paddy melon [small kind of wallaby] skins stretched tightly across their knees. The young man was brought forth well greased ready for tattooing. He was b marked for the tattoo then was taken