← Kinship Organisations and Group Marriage in Australia

Chapter 9

Chapter IV

TABLES OF CLASSES, PHRATRIES, ETC.

In order to facilitate reference and to diminish the necessity for footnotes a survey of classes and phratries is here given. It will be well to explain how they are arranged.

In the two-phratry system the rule of intermarriage is clear; a man of phratry A marries a woman of phratry B and vice versa. The direct descent of the kinship name is obviously the rule.

The four classes are arranged according to the phratries; the normal rule is that a man A1 marries B1, A2 marries B2; their children are in matrilineal tribes A2 and B2, in patrilineal B2 and A2. In the patrilineal Mara and Anula, by exception, the rule of descent is direct; it will be remembered that a dichotomy of the classes prevails, so that they really belong to the eight-class system.

In the eight-class system and among the nominally four-class southern Arunta the intermarriage and descent is as follows, according to Spencer and Gillen;

A1
——
B1 = A4, B1
——
A1 = B3,

A2
——
B2 = A3, B2
——
A2 = B4,

A3
——
B3 = A2, B3
——
A3 = B1,

A4
——
B4 = B4, B4
——
A4 = B2.

In each case the male is the numerator, the woman the denominator, and the = shows the child.

Tribes with conterminous territories usually know what phratries and classes are equivalent in their systems. In the tables which follow the phratries and the classes of matrilineal tribes are arranged to show this correspondence so far as it is known. A * shows that no information on the point is to hand. A rearrangement of patrilineal classes is necessary to make them equivalent to the organisations of matrilineal tribes; this cannot be shown in the tables; but full details will be found in the works of Spencer and Gillen. A † indicates patrilineal descent.

Where the names of phratries and classes are translated, the meanings are shown in the tables; where the authorities do not give the translation but a word of the same form is in use in the tribe or group of tribes the meanings are given in round brackets; words in use in neighbouring tribes are put in square brackets.

Table I.

The Class Names.

Class names Feminine Meaning

I. Muri (Bya) Matha (Red kangaroo)

Kubi Kubitha (Opossum)

Kumbo (Wōmbee) Butha

Ipai Ipatha (Eaglehawk)

These class names are found in the following tribes:

Kamilaroi (Howitt, p. 107); Wiradjeri (ib. 107); Wonghi (ib. 108); Euahlayi (Mrs L. Parker, Euahlayi Tribe, p. 13); Ngeumba (Mathews in Eth. Notes, p. 5); Murawari (id. in Proc. R. G. S. Qu., 1906, 55); Moree (R. G. S. Qu. X, 20); Turribul (R. S. Vict. I, 102); Wollaroi (Howitt, 109); on Narran R. (Curr, I, 117); Pikumbul (ib.); Unghi (Howitt, 217); Peechera (Curr, III, 271); Wailwun (ib. I, 116); Wonnaruah (Sci. Man, I, 180); Geawegal (Howitt, 266).

Associated with these class names are the following phratry names:

(a) Kamilaroi, etc. Dilbi Kupathin

(b) Wiradjeri to N. of Lachlan Budthurung Mukula

(d) " & Ngeumba { Ngumbun
Numbun Ngurrawan (Mathews)

(e) Euahlayi Gwaigullean Gwaimudthen

(f) Murawari Girrana Merugulli

Class names Feminine

II. Kurbo Kooran

Marro Kurgan

Wombo Wirrikin

Wirro Wongan

The proper arrangement of these names is unknown.

Tribe: Kombinegherry (J. A. I. XIII, 304; Howitt, 105).

Science of Man (IV, 8) gives:

Carribo Gooroona

Maroongah Carrigan

Womboongah Werrican

Weiro Warganbah

For the Anaywan, Thangatty, etc., R. H. Mathews gives (J. R. S. N. S. W. XXXI, 169):

Irpoong Matyang

Marroong Arrakan

Imboong Irrakadena

Irroong Palyang

Class name (Fem. termination, -an or -gan) Meaning

III†. Parang (Moroon) (Black wallaby. Emu)

Bunda [Kangaroo]

Balgoin (Banjoor, Pandur) (Red wallaby. Native bear)

Theirwain (Kangaroo)

Tribes: Maryborough tribes (Howitt, 117); Kabi (Curr, III, 163): Kiabara (J. A. I. XIII, 305); ? (Hodgson, 212; Mathew, Eaglehawk, 100); Wide Bay (Curr, I, 117).

For the Emon, Howitt (p. 109) gives:

Barah

Bondan

Bondurr

Taran

With these classes are associated the phratries:

(a) The Maryborough tribes and the Kiabara Dilbi Kupathin.

(b) Dippil Deeajee Karpeun

are the forms given by Mathews (Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. XXXVIII, 329).

Class names (Fem. termination, -an) Meaning

IV. Karilbura Barrimundi

Munal Hawk

Kurpal Good water

Kuialla (Koodala) Iguana

Tribes: Kuinmurbura (J. A. I. XIII, 341; Howitt, 111). The Taroombul have the form Koodala (Proc. R. S. Qu. XIII, 41).

For the Kangulu, Mathews (J. R. S. N. S. W. XXXIII, 111) gives:

Banniar

Banjoor

Koorpal

Kearra

With these may be compared Howitt's (p. 111):

Kairawa

Bunjur

Bunya

Jarbain (? Tarbain)

The phratries associated with these are:

Tribe

(a) Kuinmurbura Witteru Yungaru

(b) Kangulu Wutthuru Yungnuru

Class names Fem. termination Meaning

V. Wongo

Kubaru (Ubur, Obu) -an (Gidea tree)

Bunburi (Anbeir, Unburri, Bunbai)

Koorgilla (Urgilla)

Tribes: Ungorri (Howitt, 109); Kogai (Curr, I, 117; J. A. I. XIII, 337); Yuipera etc. (Curr, III, 45, 64; J. A. I. XIII, 302); Akulbura, Bathalibura (Howitt, 113, 141); Wakelbura (Howitt, 112); on Belyando (Curr, III, 26); Dalebura (Howitt, 113), Buntamurra (Howitt, 113, 226); Purgoma (Roth, 66); Jouon (ib. 67); Pitta-Pitta, Goa, Miorli (Roth, 56-7); Ringa-Ringa (J. A. I. XIII, 337); Mittakoodi (Roth, 56-7); Woonamurra (ib.); Yerunthully (Mathews in R. G. S. Qu. X, 30); Badieri (id. ib. 1905, 55).

With these class names are associated the phratries

(a) Kogai, Wakelbura etc. Wuthera Mallera

(b) Yuipera, Bathalibura Wootaroo Yungaroo

(d) Jouon Chepa Junna

(e) Pitta-Pitta etc., Mittakoodi, Woonamura Ootaroo Pakoota

(f) Badieri Wootaroo Yungo

Aberrant forms, probably inaccurate, are given by Curr (II, 424) for Halifax Bay: Korkoro, Korkeen, Wongo, Wotero; by Lumholtz (p. 199) for the Herbert R.: Gorilla, Gorgero, Gorgorilla, Otero, by Curr (II, 468) for the Yukkaburra: Utheroo, Multheroo, Yungaroo, Goorgilla.

On the Tully R. Roth (Ethn. Bull. V, 20) found the following:

Class names

VI. Karavangi

Chikun

Kurongon

Kurkilla

With these may be compared the names given by Mathews for the Warkeman (J. R. S. N. S. W. XXXII, 109, 251):

Karpungie

Cheekungie

Kellungie

Koopungie

On the Annan R. we find (Howitt, 118) with male descent:

Class names Meaning

VII. Wandi Eaglehawk

Walar Bee

Jorro Bee

Kutchal Saltwater Eaglehawk

With these are associated the phratries:

(a) Walar Murla

VIII. Ranya (Arenia)

Rara (Arara)

Loora

Awunga (Arawongo)

Tribes: Wollongurma (Roth, 68); Goothanto (Mathews in J. R. S. N. S. W. XXXIII, 109).

Connected with these forms are:

Class names

Barry (Ahjereena)

Ararey (Arrenynung)

Jury [? Loory] (Perrynung)

Mungilly (Mahngal) [diamond snake]

Tribes: Koogobathy (J. A. I. XIII, 303); Koonjan etc. (Mathews in J. R. S. N. S. W. XXXIII, 110, XXXIV, 135). Probably Perrynung and Ahjereenya should be transposed.

Class names Feminine

IX. Jimmilingo Carburungo

Badingo Ngarrangungo

Maringo Munjungo

Youingo (Kapoodungo) Goothamungo

Tribes: Miappe (Roth, 56-7); Mycoolon (J. A. I. XIII, 302); Workoboongo (Roth, ib.).

For the Kalkadoon, Roth (ib.) gives:

Kunggilungo

Patingo

Toonbeungo

Marinungo

With these are associated the phratries:

(a) Kalkadoon Ootaroo Mullara

(b) Miappe Woodaroo Pakutta

Class names

X. Murungun

Mumbali

Purdal

Kuial

Tribe: Mara (Northern Tribes, 119).

With these the phratry names:

(a) Urku Ua

In this tribe is male descent, and, as in the S. Arunta, the classes are themselves divided; for equivalence the numbers of the eight-class system are arranged (Nor. Tr. 123), 1, 4; 3, 2; 5, 7; 6, 8.

Leichardt (Journal, 447) reports from the Roper R., Gnangball, Odall, Nurumball, which from their form seem to be class names and identifiable with some of the Mara names.

Class names

XI. Awukaria

Roumburia

Urtalia

Wialia

Tribe: Anula (Nor. Tr. 119).

XII. For the eight-class system see Table Ia; in which it is assumed that patrilineal descent prevails in all the tribes.

With these are associated the following phratries:

(a) Umbaia, Gnanji Illitchi Liaritchi

(b) Warramunga, Walpari, Wulmala Uluuru Kingilli

(d) Bingongina Wiliuku Liaraku

Spencer and Gillen, Nor. Tr. pp. 100-102, 119. On p. 102 is a statement about the Bingongina inconsistent with that on the following page; according to the former the phratry names are Illitchi, Liaritchi, as among the Umbaia.

Class names

XIII. Panunga

Bulthara

Purula

Kumara

Tribe: S. Arunta (Nat. Tr. 90).

XIIIa. Deringara

Gubilla

Koomara

Belthara

Tribe: Yoolanlanya etc. (R. G. S. Qu. XVI, 75).

The arrangement suggests that matrilineal descent prevails, but there is probably some error.

Class names

XIIIb. Burong (Parungo)

Ballieri (Parajerri; Butcharrie)

Banaka (Boogarloo)

Kymerra (Kaiamba)

Tribes: Gnamo, Gnalluma (Int. Arch. XVI, 12); Nickol Bay and Kimberley have the alternative forms of 1, 2, and 4 (Curr, I, 296; Kamilaroi, 36, Mathews in J. R. S. N. S. W. XXXV, 220), Weedokarry (id. in Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. XXXIX, 89) have third form of 2; at Murchison R. Boorgarloo comes into use (West Australian, Ap. 7, 1906).

Class names Meaning

XIV. Tondarup (Namyungo) Fish hawk

Didaruk Sea

Ballaruk (Yangor) (Opossum)

Naganok (Fish)

Tribes: S. W. Australia, Tarderick etc. (West. Aust., loc. cit.; Moore, Desc. Voc., Col. Mag. V, 422.

The phratries are

(a) Wartungmat Munichmat

The equivalence is unknown.

Class names

XV. Langenam

Namegor

Packwicky

Pamarung

Tribe: Joongoongie of N. Queensland (Mathews in Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. XXXIX, 93).

Associated with them the phratries:

(a) Jamagunda Gamanutta

The equivalence is unknown.

Class names Meaning

XVI. Kari Emu

Waui Red kangaroo

Wiltu Eaglehawk

Wilthuthu Shark

Tribe: Narrangga of Yorke Peninsula (Howitt, p. 130).

Table I a: XII. Class Names of Eight-Class Tribes.

Oolawunga etc. Bingongina Umbaia Yookala etc. Binbinga Gnanji

Janna Thama } Tjinum Jinagoo Tjuanaku Uanuku

Nanakoo Tchana Ninum Niriuma Nuanakurna

Nana

Jimidya Tjimita Tjulum Joolanjegoo Tjulantjuka Tjulantjuka

Namaja Namita Nulum Nurlum Nurlanjukurna

Dhalyeree Thalirri Paliarinji Bullaranjee Paliarinji Paliarinji

Nalirri Paliarina Paliarina Paliarina

Dhongaree Thungarie Pungarinji Bungaranjee Pungarinji Pungarinji

Nungari Pungarinia Pungarina Pungarinia

Joolama Tjurla Tjurulum Jooralagoo Tjurulum Uralaku

Nowala Nala Nurulum Nurulum Nuralakurna

Jungalla Thungalla Thungallum Jungalagoo Thungallum Thungallaku

Nungalla Nungallum Nungallum Nungallakurna

Jeemara Tjimara Tjamerum Jameragoo Tjamerum Tjameraku

Nunalla Niameragun Niamerum Niamaku

Jambijana Tjambitjina Yakomari Yukamurra Yakomari Yakomari

Nambean Nambitjina Yakomarin Yakomarina Yakomarina

Worgaia Yangarella Inchalachie Yungmunnie Tjingillie

Wairgu Narrabalangie { Narrabalangie Unwannee Thamininja

Neonammer Warkie Imbannee Namininja

Blaingunjhu Bolangie Bolangie Eemitch Tjimininja

Nolangmer Immadena Truminginja

Biliarinthu Bulleringie Belyeringie Uwallaree Thalaringinja

Nulyarammer Imballaree Nalaringinja

Pungarinju Bongaringie Beneringie Uwungaree Thungaringinta

Nongarimmer Imbongaree Namaringinta

Warrithu Burralangie { Burralangie Urwalla Tjurulinginja

Nurralammer Narechie Imbawalla Nalinginja

Kingelunju Kunuller Kungilla Yungalla Thungallininja

Nungalermer Inkagalla Nalangininja

Tjameramu Kommerangie { Kommerangie Unmarra Thamaringinja

Nemurammer Boonongoona Inganmarra Namaringinja

Ikamaru Yakomari { Akamaroo Tabachin Tjapatjinginja

Jumeyunyie Thimmermill Tabadenna Nambitjinginja

{ Ilpirra

Arunta

Kaitish

Iliaura

{ Warramunga

Walpari

Wulmala

Meening Mayoo Koorangie etc.

Panunga Thapanunga Chowan Chinuma Janna

Napanunga Nowana Nanagoo Nanakoo

Uknaria Tjinguri Choongoora Choongoora Jamada

Namigili Nangili Narbeeta

{ Bulthara Tjapeltjeri Chavalya Chavalya Dhalyeree

Kabidgi Naltjeri Nanajerry Nabajerry

Appitchana

Appungerta Thapungarti Chowarding Changary Dhungaree

Napungerta Nabungati Nhermana

Purula Tjupila Chooara Choolima Joolam

Naralu Nooara Naola

Ungalla Thungalla Changally Chungalla Jungalla

Nungalla Nangally Nungalla

Kumara Thakomara Chagarra Chapota Jameram

Nakomara Nagarra Nemira

Umbitchana Tjambin Chambeen Chambijana Jummiunga

Nambin Nambeen Nambjana

Table II.

Phratry Names.

Phratries Meanings Name of Tribe

1. †Waa(ng) Crow Wurunjerri

Bunjil or Wrepil Eaglehawk

2. Yuckembruk " Ngarrego

Merung

3. Umbe Crow Wolgal etc.

Malian or Multa Eaglehawk

4. Muquara
Kilpara " Berriait, Tatathi, Wathi-Wathi, Keramin, Waimbio, Barkinji, Milpulko, Wilya, Itchumundi

5. Kumit (Gamutch, Kaputch, Kulitch) Black cockatoo

Kroki (Krokitch, Krokage) White cockatoo Booandik, Wotjoballuk, Gournditchmara etc.

The feminine terminations are -egor, -gurk or -jarr.

For South-West Victoria Dawson (Aborigines, p. 26) gives two groups and an odd totem kin (?):

Phratries Meaning Name of Tribe

6. Kuurokeetch Longbilled cockatoo

Kartpoerappa Pelican

Kappatch Banksia cockatoo

Kirtuuk Boa snake

Kuunamit Quail

7. Kararu (Kiraru, Kararawa) Dieri, Parnkalla & Nauo, Yandairunga, Urabunna

Matteri

8. Tinewa Yandrawontha, Yowerawarika

Koolpuru (? Emu)

9. Yungo (? Kangaroo)

Mattera Kurnandaburi

10. Kookoojeeba

Koocheebinga Geebera

The equivalence is not known.

11. Koorabunna

Kooragula Goonganji

Phratry

12. Darboo* Bloomfield River

Tooar

*The equivalence is unknown.

Phratry names. Four-class system Meaning

20. Dilbi Kupathin Ia, IIIa†

21. Budthurung (1) Mukula Ib (1)=black duck

22. Gwaigullean Gwaimudthen Ie Light blood; dark blood

23. Ngielbumurra Mukumurra Ic

24. Ngumbun Ngurrawan Id

25. Girana Merugulli If

26. Deeajee Karpeun IIIb

27. Witteru Yungaru IVa, b; Vb (? Kangaroo; ? emu)

27a. " Yungo Vf

28. " Mallera Va, IXa

29. " Pakoota Ve, IXb

30. Naka Tunna Vc

31. Walar Murla* VIIa Bee; bee

32. Cheepa Junna Vd

33. Jamagunda Gamanutta* XIa

34. Wartungmat Munichmat* XIVa Crow; white cockatoo

Eight-class system†

40. Illitchi Liaritchi XIIa

41. Uluuru Biingaru XIIc (? Curlew)

42. " Kingilli XIIb (? Curlew)

43. Wiliuku Liaraku XIId

44. Urku Ua Xa

Table III.

Allusion has been made in Chapter III to kinship organisations denominated "bloods" and "shades" by Mr R. H. Mathews. Whether it is that some observers have mistaken these for phratries or vice versâ, it seems that the names of the two classes of organisation are at present inextricably intermingled, as the following table shows:

Tribe Phratry Blood Meaning

Itchmundi Kilpara-Muquara { Mukulo-Ngielpuru
Muggula-Ngipuru† †Sluggish and swift blood

Wiradjeri Mukula-Budthurung

Wonghibon Mukumura-Ngielbumura

Wonghibon
and
Ngneumba } Ngumbun-Ngurrawan Gwaigullimba-Gwaimudhan‡ ‡Swift and sluggish blood

Euahlayi Gwaigullean-Gwaimudthen Light and dark blooded

Murawari Girrana-Merugulli Muggulu-Bumbirra§ §Sluggish and swift blood

Table IV.

The areas covered by the different class and phratry names are not co-extensive, that is to say a class is associated with more than one phratry and vice versâ. The Undekerebina and Yelyuyendi have phratries (No. 29) which are usually associated with classes but in their case none have been noted. On the other hand it is not uncommon to find classes without the corresponding phratry names; this is the case in the eight class area, among the tribes of N. S. Wales, S. Queensland, etc.; but no special significance attaches to it unless we are certain that it is not the negligence of the observer nor the disuse of the names which has produced this state of things. On the other hand the relation of phratry and class areas is of the highest importance, as is shown in Chapter V. The following table shows the anomalies:

Tribe Phratry Class

Wiradjeri 21 I

Euahlayi 22 I

Ngeumba, Wonghi 23, or 24 I

Murawari 25 I

Kiabara, etc. 20 III

Dippil 26 III

Kuinmurbura, Kongulu 27 IV

Yuipera, Badieri, Yambeena, etc. 27 V

Kogai, Wakelbura, etc. 28 V

Woonamura, Mittakoodi, Miorli, etc. 29 V

Purgoma 30 V

Jouon 32 V

Miappe 29 VIII

Kalkadoon 28 VIII