Narional Archives of Australia
Canberra Office
A6456 R136/004
Native Affairs, Reports by Patrol Officers 1949 - 1955
Patrol Report W MacDougall 18. 4.1953
Detailed Survey of the Jangkuntjara Tribe
Their Traditional Tribal Country and Ceremonial Grounds
Superintendent
1. I commenced this patrol for the above purpose on 18 April 1953
and encountered several difficulties and set-backs, mainly at the beginning
of the trip.
2. The main difficulty was due to lack of co-operation by
the tribesmen. Whilst I have known most of these people for a long time,
I have not had an opportunity to discuss with them their secret life,
their relationships, their spiritual home country nor their water supplies
or camping and hunting areas.
3. These people are reluctant to discuss such important aspects
of their tribal life with just anybody and it was not until they fully
realised that I knew most of their secretlife anyway and that I was
not to be put off with any cock and bull story or half truths, that I
was able to obtain the information that I required. I am afraid that I
was led upon several wild goose chases at the beginning.
4. The normal difficulties of supplies and minor breakdowns,
staked tyres etc were encountered, but the usual difficulty of water
supply was non-existant as I travelled from soak to soak. I also visited
several small rock holes, but they are no help to a white traveller as the
water is foul and if you clean the rock hole, there is no water available
until after the next rain. Fresh clean water is available an hour after
cleaning a soak.
5. I commenced the patrol using a Morris Commercial 20 cwt Truck.
Unfortunately this vehicle broke down seriously at Oolarinna. It was necessary
for me to return to Woomera where I was supplied with a special Land Rover
from X200. I then, accompanied by a mechanic from Woomera and with a
complete rear axle assembly, returned to Oolarinna, repaired the Morris and
sent it, driven by the mechanic, back to Mabel Creek and continued the
patrol per Land Rover. The above occupied the period between 18 April and
29 May.
6. The Land Rover performed excellently, although I experienced
some delays by minor break-downs, some of which were due to similar work
which the vehicle had performed previously. Weaknesses which were not
apparent in Workshops developed, such as cracked springs, also worn out
oil seals etc. Such difficulties are to be expected in an old vehicle which
has had several drivers.
7. The country traversed is mostly sand-hill country, covered with
Mulga scrub. Good pastoral country was encountered from time to time in
small valleys and some swamp country south of the Officer. Limestone out
crops were a feature of this area. The sand-hills were covered with grass
except where rabbits were numerous, other areas were covered with grass,
salt bush, buck bush, parakylia and spinifex. Some of the soakages indicated
the presence of a good supply of water. Considering the nature of the
country, the Land Rover performed excellently.
8. The Jangkuntjara tribal country as shown on Tindale's map is
an irregular area. The extreme South point is approx Latitude 28 deg 40 min,
Northern point Latitude 24 deg 35 min, Western point Longitude 130 deg 15 min, Eastern
point Longitude 133 deg 40 min. This territory is clearly marked on the map
which I have called Appendix 'B'. I have marked the areas which they still
use and also water supplies, camping areas and ceremonial grounds,
particuarly those outside pastoral areas.
The following cattle stations are situated in this area -
Everard Park, Wallitinna and part of Granite Downs.
Everard Park is owned by Messrs Josland & Ponder - James, Sandy
and Bruce Ponder and David Josland. They employ one white man Mick Mitselberg
as cook, gardener and general help, also a varying number of Jangkuntjara.
There are 71 aborigines based on this Station, details are shown under Everard
Park Appendix 'A'.
Granite Downs is owned by J Davies Esq, who employs a Manager,
Bookkeeper, Station Mechanic, Head Stockman and Foreman. A number of
aborigines are employed, 67 making Granite Downs their headquarters. Details
are shown under Granite Downs and New Lambinna, Appendix 'A'. There are two
contractors working on Granite Downs, one fencing and one dam sinking, they
employ 2 or 3 white men.
Wallitinna is owned by Mr Tom Cullenan, he employs only aborigines.
34 live at the homestead, details shown under Wallitinna Appendix 'A'. Approx
Station boundaries shown on map Appendix 'B'.
NUMBERS
9. The total number of Jangkuntjara living in this area is 172, ie
men, women and children. There are a few others, who years ago went to work
on Stations East of their tribal lands and who have lost all interest in
tribal matters, and who do not return for any purpose. I have not included
them in the list attached as Appendix 'A'.
NUMBERS USING AREAS OUTSIDE PASTORAL AREAS
10. Of the 172 listed, approximately 130 do periodically occupy some
of the country outside pastoral areas. Owing to the growing tendency to
depend on white man's food, the use of outside areas has been reduced to
three months, August, September, October. This is the Dingo Pup season.
Pups are easy to get and ensure large supplies of flour, tea, sugar, jam and
milk. All ceremonies are now held at this time, because this food is
available which relieves the necessity of vigorous hunting during the strenuous
ceremonial activity.
CEREMONIES
11. I believe there are only two types of ceremonies conducted now
in the outside areas. Namely, Initiation and Red Ochre. The initiation
ceremony is still of considerable importance to the men. Most of the boys
and young men are keen to play their part, but a few try to avoid it. It
is important in that the uninitiated man is despised and not allowed to
participate in norman tribal life. He is not allowed to marry and this leads
to endless trouble for themselves and others if he lives near to or amongst
tribal natives. I have marked the route of the originators of this ceremony
(Kangaroo, Uro and the Bird). No one knows where they come from, except
that it was from the West, they travelled through the country initiated the
first men and continued to the East, no one known where.
9.
12. The full significance of the Red Ochre ceremony is unknown
to me, but part of it is law enforcement. During the ceremony a council
decides who has committed crimes, gives penalties and appoints executioners
who, in conjunction with the Warmulla (Invisible Avengers), must carry
out the executions or else receive the same punishment. There is one Red
Ochre or Warmulla ceremonial ground in the area surveyed South of Oolarinna.
ACTUAL USE OF TRIBAL TERRITORY
13. Several of the hordes or family groups of the Jangkuntjara
tribe have practically died out. About 30 members of Oolarinna sand-hill
group died during the recent measles epidemic, leaving only one young
man and three women. This, coupled with the advent of pastoral activity,
has reduced the area used considerably. I have marked the area which they
now claim as of importance and further marked the area which they actually
use. It is difficult to get anything like accurate times and distances
from aborigines, but I have definite proof that they have not used the
extreme Western area for many years. They have difficulty in finding some
of the soaks, which obviously have not been used for years. Other signs
of recent occupation were conspicuous by their absence.
The area above the parallel of latitude 26 degrees 40 minutes South has been
gradually taken over by the Pitjantjara Tribe which is now based at
Ernabella in the Musgrave Range. The area south of Pugla:nja is not now
used. The area West of Munta Pulja is now not used.
WATER SUPPLIES LOCATED
14. I have marked and named (name in use at present) soaks and rock
holes located, and indicated which are used in August, September and
October for hunting dingoes and ceremonies, which are camping areas and
which are used only for immediate water needs and of which they are more
or less afraid.
EAST WEST LINE
15. One man travels reguarly once or twice a year from the Everard
Range and Ooldea and returns by train to Oodnadatta. He is disliked by
other aborigines and is at present banished from the Everard Range. He is
suspected of having a wife and family at each place he visited, one at
Everard, Ernabella and Ooldea. He has not travelled to Ooldea so far this
year.
CLAY PAN AREA
16. Whilst the Clay Pan area is in the traditional Jangkuntjara
territory, those now living do not claim that portion as having any importance
or significance.
EXTENT AND TIME OF OCCUPATION
17. There are 130 Jangkuntjara who do use the area of their territory
outside pastoral country, but only during August, September and October.
The rest of the year is spent at one of the following stations, Everard
Park, Granite Downs and Wallatinna. They may be found camped at or near
any of the wells, soaks or rock holes situated on the above Stations, but
are usually found close to the homestead, the Workers' camp, or the
Government Ration Point. There are 22 water points not under constant
control by Station personnel, or situated outside pastoral country, which
the aborigines use for one purpose or another during August, September and
October. They are as follows :-
1. Oolarinna Soak(1)
2. Oolarinna Soak(2)
3. Ammoroodinna Rock Hole
4. Puttla Soak
5. Pugla:nja Soak
6. Tjunpura Soak
7. Unparrina Soak
8. Unawina Soak
9. Tarplo Soak
10. Tjingla: Rock Hole
11. Wa:kalunja Rock Hole
12. Umpurka Soak
13. Karu Soak
14. Umbooroo Soak
15. Kata Pitera Soak
16. Oppera Soak
17. Kuna Jultu Rock Hole
18. Munta Pulja Soak
19. Untarltu Rock Hole
20. Wanparatjara Soak
21. Ulunga Soak
22. Tjuntjunta Soak
There may be others which I did not locate in that area, but a line
drawn through the following (as shown in Appendix 'B') is a definite limit
to areas used now and for some years past :-
3. Ammoroodinna Rock Hole
4. Puttla Soak
5. Pugla:nja Soak
6. Tjunpura Soak
11. Wa:kalunja Rock Hole
12. Umpurka Soak
18. Munta Pulja Soak
19. Untarltu Rock Hole
22. Tjuntjunta Soak
The water points north of these need not be mentioned. Other points outside
the above area have not been used for several years and not likely to be
used again unless interest is aroused by white men. Some that I visited
are 23. Karmulja, 24. Poorala, 25. Untri:, 26. Kulata. With the exception
of 23. Karmulja, the above are West of the track made by S/Ldr Garden's
reconnaissance party in 1951. This track had not been seen by any of the
Jangkuntjara and those to whom I showed it expressed great surprise, this
proves that they had not been there for two years. The condition of the
soaks also suggested that they have not been used for many years.
SUMMARY
18. The tendency is for the Jangkuntjara to stay close to cattle
properties where life is considerably easier. This is not so in August,
September and October, when they spread over the country hunting dingo
pups. They look upon this time as a harvest when all can have a super
abundance of white men's food just by collecting dingo pup scalps.
Station personnel encourage them. The Manager with the object of reducing
dingo population, and some employees with a view to trading in scalps.
19. The area now used is not very great, and is of considerable
distance from the Clay Pan area.
20 With the exception of one man there is no possibility of any
of the Jangkuntjara travelling south of Pugla:nga unless interest is
aroused by white men travelling in that direction for any purpose.
Example, scouting for pastoral country, trapping dingoes. I would suggest
the following mathod of ensuring that they do not enter the Clay Pan
area :- By using their own beliefs and fears of evil spirits and invisible
avengers, convince them that that area is no safe place for them.
21. I believe no action is really necessary other than to avoid
arousing interest in that area, or making any reference to white man
activity. As the horde which considered that area the homeland of the
human spirits of their particular family group, has died out, there is
no reason for men or women to occupy the area for the purpose of catching
such a spirit and transmitting it to a new body in a form of a baby.
22. There are no men in that area to be initiated, therefore, no
need for initiation ceremonies. No one lives in it, therefore, no need
for increase ceremonies. The nearest family territory still occupied is
Oolarinna. This extends south to Pugla:nja. There are 3 women and one
young man who belong to this group. The women do not count as they are
married to men in another group. The man will probably have male children,
but it is doubtful if they will have any interest in their ancestral
country.
23. A visit to Wallitinna, Oolarinna, Everard Park area would enable
me to discover and check any tendency for them to move towards the prohibited
or dangerous areas.
24. An astro fix at Pugla:nja would determine its exact distance
from the Clay Pan if such accuracy is considered necessary.
25. I am not aware of any occupants of the Ngalea Tribal area.
There are persistent rumours of aborigines occupying that area. I have
not been able to contact anyone who has actually seen Natives there.
I could secure information in regard to the above from the
West Aust. Patrol Officer at Kalgoolie and Missions in the vicinity.
W B MacDougall
APPENDIX 1
Names of personnel of the Jangkuntjara Tribe
Note As I have not known these people for very long, most of
them refused to give me their native name and in a few
cases where they have no English name they refused to
give any name.
I have listed them in groups according to the Station
which they now use as a base and have sub-divided them
into Workers, Pensioners and Unemployed.
Everard Park
Employed
Charlie, Nelly, Kay, Molly 4
Tony, Munjinta (F), 2 children (1girl, 1 boy) 4
Jimmie, Molly - 1 child (boy) 3
Sam, Minnie - 1 child (girl) 3
William, Emily 2
Alex 1
Bruce 1
Ginger 1
David 1
Jim 1
Lame Fred 1
Murry, Tjinnikamila (F), 2 children 4
Munji (F), Lilly (daughter), 1 boy 3
Pensioners
Kables (M) 1
Nelly and child Eileen 2
Everard (M), Mulunga (F), Susan (14 years) 3
Unemployed or Employed Casually
Louie (M) 1
Ray and Mitchell 2
Pampey, Molly, 2 children 4
Lame Tom, Hughie & Kathleen 3
Jack, Ann, baby boy 3
Bob, Minnie, Andy 3
Maggie (M) 1
Little Kottich (M), Kunti Munju (F), 1 girl 3
Big Jack, Maggie - 2 children
, Pony Pony - 3 children 8
Sam 1
Feathers 1
John 1
Peta 1
Sheila 1
Ann 1
Lilly 1
Minnie 1
Total 71
Granite Downs
Employed
Left Hand Tommie 1
Alan 1
Big Foot Billy 1
Curly 1
Windless 1
Lambina Mick 1
Tiger 1
Andy 1
Billy 1
Tommie 1
George 1
Oscar 1
3 men who would not give a name 3
Sailors Well Jack 1
Myall Billy 1
Pensioners or Those Receiving Government Rations
Three fingers and wife 2
Algie 1
George 1
Molly 1
Mingie 1
Lilly 1
Kitty 1
Tommy 1
Eddie (wife of Big Foot Billy) 1
Sandy (wife of Alan) 1
Betty (wife of George) 1
Mary (wife of Curley) 1
NB The above are very old and not
likely to go far from Homestead.
Children
Molly, 12 years (F) 1
Winger, 12 years (F) 1
Minnie, 10 years (F) 1
Nona, 10 years (F) 1
Three girls and a boy (Lambinna Mick's children) 4
Women and Children
Wonga, Cheeky and Betty (F) 3
Jennie and child (House Woman) 2
Limpy Lilly and child 2
Little Betty and child (wife of Myall Billy) 2
Minnie and 2 children (wife of Tommie) 3
NB The above have no known actual father
and are Wards of the State.
Pensioners or Those Receiving Government Rations
Jimmie Woodie (half-caste), Lilly and Eva 3
Crippled boy, 15 years 1
Girl, 14 years 1
3 Women and 5 Children 8
Very Old Men
Sheepy Mick 1
Ada 1
Mulla 1
Boodla 1
Wallatinna
Employed
Barney, Cookie, baby 3
Kunji, Bingai, 3 children 5
Alex Woodie (half-caste), Mussikat, 3 children 5
Lilly 1
Rachael 1
Alex (Big), Lorna 2
Billy (half-caste) 1
Harry 1
Walker 1
Andy 1
2 without names 2
Pensioners
Musitan and wife Jennie 2
Dick and wife Mary, 1 child Moses 3
Boko, boy of 16 1/2 years who has very bad eyes 1
Dick, Wirrika, 2 boys, 1 girl 5
Total 172
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|