When among the birds they suddenly drew some of them under
the surface without appearing to disturb the others.
And now a loud noise made by the beating of spears and waddies
attracted my attention, when I came to the conclusion some tribal
ceremony was in progress, and shortly afterward a number of youths were
led in procession through the camp. These young men presented a strong
and muscular appearance. Their naked bodies bore evidence of ill-usage;
purple weals and open sores upon their backs and shoulders appeared to
have been inflicted by the severe and long-continued stroke of the
lash.
After a dirge-like song had been sung, a number of the elder warriors
stepped forward, and with a piece of quartz formed a deep incision in
the nape or the neck of each youth, cutting broad gashes from shoulder
to hip, all the while repeating rapidly the following curious
incantation:
"Kangar-marra--marra,
Kano-marra-marra,
Pilbirri-marra-marra."
A bunch of green leaves was then fastened round each middle and above
this a girdle of human hair. They then blackened with charcoal, and
their wounds plastered with clay in order to form the hands of gristle
which they regard as an ornament upon their flesh.
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