The Native Tribes of Western Australia by Daisy Bates, edited by Isobel White

Book Description

Secondhand. Very good condition. Minor wear to book corners and edges. Dust jacket has light creasing at edges and spine. Dust jacket is enclosed in protective covering. Interior and binding are still in very good condition.

An arrangement of Bates ethnographic manuscripts originally prepared during work for the Western Australian Government (1904-1912) for a proposed book of the same title; includes detailed editorial commentary concerning arrangement, deletion and sources and an introductory biography and background to the work; covers mainly material from the southwest, Murchison and northwest (Kimberley) regions.

Includes detailed information on tribal organisation and geographic location; social organisation, including moieties, semi-moieties, sections, relationship terms, marriage arrangements, bestowal, elopements, illicit marriages, sexual relations, conception, childbirth, child-rearing and avoidance rules; male initiation in the Bunbury, Vasse and Broome districts; totemism; religion, including moral code, mythic origins and beliefs about death; magic and sorcery, including bone pointing, healing and rainmaking; food procurement and preparation, including techniques, seasonality and division of labor; art and craft, including cave painting, rock engraving, manufacture of weapons and implements, bartering and trade; diseases and remedies; death and burial practices; dances, songs and ceremonies, including body adornment, songs texts and musical accompaniment. (Trove)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers, please note that this book may contain descriptions and/or images of people who have passed away.