This isn’t hazing, but it is interesting to see how initiations span all or most cultures.
Quote from story: ” The first initiation many young Aboriginal adolescents go through is Thilkill and the second is Murrawan.
“Thilkill takes the silliness out of adolescents. They are not an adult until they go through this,” Mr Morris [Scone Department of Environment and Conservation worker Glen Morris] said.
“At the age of 13 or 14 you are silly and have your own mind and no respect.
“This takes away the disrespect and gives you respect for yourself and others.”
He explained the second initiation taught about traditional laws, ceremonies, relationships and the pecking order.
There are three following these two stages: Woolongurra, Grundah and Nullungurra.
Mr Morris would have to go through these last three initiations to become an elder.
“An elder is a decision maker in the tribal group,” he said.
The last full traditional initiation in the Maclean Valley area took place in 1935 with two other tribes, Gumbanga (Nambucca, Grafton, Bellingen area) and Bunjalung (Grafton Maclean areas).
Mr Morris was put through after this.
“They still do it. They put young blokes back on track,” he said.
“When our traditional laws stopped, discipline and respect stopped.”
The Gungutti tribe members know the songs and dances to initiate men and women in the first two stages but, after that, they have to go to the Kimberley’s, Northern Territory to be initialised through the last three stages.”
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