Overview:
Captain George Grey’s “Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery” details his extensive exploration of Western Australia between 1837 and 1839. Facing numerous challenges, including shipwrecks, hostile natives, and extreme thirst, Grey and his team persevered, charting new rivers and mountain ranges. The text stands out for its detailed anthropological observations of Aboriginal culture, highlighting their complex language, laws, and social customs. Grey’s insights offer a valuable perspective on the lives of the Aboriginal people, challenging prevailing misconceptions about their intelligence and social structures.
Despite hardship, Grey’s expeditions led to significant discoveries. The Victoria Range and the Province of Victoria were mapped, and ten new rivers were identified, including the Gascoyne, the Murchison, and the Hutt. The text also offers a glimpse into the emerging colonial landscape of Western Australia, with Grey detailing the impact of settlers and the “Overlanders,” individuals driving cattle across the vast continent.
Key Findings:
- Aboriginal Language: The text reveals a fundamental unity in the languages spoken across the Australian continent, debunking the notion that different tribes speak entirely separate languages.
- Aboriginal Laws: Grey highlights the existence of complex traditional laws governing relationships, marriage, and land ownership, demonstrating a sophisticated social structure.
- Aboriginal Social Organization: Grey details the intricate system of family clans, with specific laws governing marriage within and between clans, providing a detailed insight into social interactions and power dynamics.
- Impact of Europeans: The text acknowledges the detrimental impact of European settlement on Aboriginal culture, highlighting the loss of land, displacement, and the introduction of new diseases.
Learning:
- Cultural Understanding: Readers gain a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture, challenging common stereotypes and revealing the intricacies of their laws and customs.
- Historical Context: Grey’s account provides valuable insight into the early colonial period of Western Australia, detailing the hardships faced by explorers and the emerging economic dynamics driven by the “Overlanders.”
- Scientific Exploration: The text presents a detailed account of the methods used by Grey and his team to navigate and survey the terrain, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of geographical discovery.
Historical Context:
The text was written in 1841, a time when Western Australia was a young and rapidly developing colony. Explorers were actively charting the vast continent, while settlers were establishing homesteads and introducing European livestock. At this time, there was a growing awareness of the Aboriginal population and its impact on the emerging colonial landscape.
Facts:
- Aboriginal kinship is matrilineal: Children inherit their family name from their mother.
- Aboriginal clans have specific “kobongs”: These are animals or plants that a clan member will never kill or gather under specific conditions.
- Betrothal is arranged at birth: Female children are betrothed immediately after birth and have no choice in their marriage.
- Polygamy is practiced: Men can have multiple wives from different families, leading to intricate family relationships.
- Aboriginal laws are oral traditions: These laws are passed down through generations without written records.
- Land ownership is individual: Each male owns a specific section of land and its resources, with clearly defined boundaries.
- Aboriginal people believe in magic and sorcery: They attribute death to sorcery and hold “Boyl-yas” (sorcerers) in awe and fear.
- Native animals are abundant in many areas: Grey refutes the idea that Aboriginal people struggle for food, highlighting the abundance of edible species across the continent.
- The “Kiley” (boomerang) is a versatile tool: It is used for hunting, throwing at birds, and knocking off gum from trees.
- There are many methods of hunting kangaroos: These include spear hunting, trapping, and “yowart-a-kaipoon” (surrounding), where kangaroos are driven into a fire-enclosed area.
- The “By-yu” nut is poisonous: However, Aboriginal people have developed a method of drying the nut to make it edible.
- Aboriginal people use songs for diverse purposes: These include expressing emotion, narrating stories, and rallying for revenge.
- Aboriginal songs travel across the continent: Songs are passed down through generations, with words sometimes lost due to changes in dialect.
- European music is not appreciated by Aboriginal people: They often mimic European singing as a form of amusement.
- The “Boyl-yas” are believed to have supernatural powers: They can make themselves invisible, travel through the air, and possess victims.
- The “Wau-gul” is an aquatic monster: This creature is believed to prey on Aboriginal people, especially women.
- The natives believe in the “nightmare” spirit: They believe that this spirit can be banished by twirling a burning stick around the head and uttering imprecations.
- Crystal stones hold special significance: These are venerated by Aboriginal sorcerers and held in high esteem.
- Circumcision is practiced in certain parts of Australia: This suggests a potential link to other cultures that practice this rite.
- The “meerro” (spear) is a crucial tool: It is used for hunting, warfare, and ritualistic practices.
- The “wan-na” (digging stick) is a vital tool for the women: They use it for digging up roots and tubers.
Statistics:
- 260 cows, 230 bullocks, and 190 steers were a part of one Overlander’s herd. This indicates the massive scale of livestock movement across Australia.
- 4,200 head of horned cattle, 130 horses, and 35,000 sheep were brought from New South Wales into South Australia in 1839. This demonstrates the rapid influx of livestock into newly settled areas.
- Between 1839 and 1840, more than 7,000 head of horned cattle, 100 horses, and 25,000 sheep were brought into South Australia. This continued the rapid influx of livestock.
- 41 Aboriginal women had a total of 188 children, averaging 4.6 children per woman. This demonstrates the fertility of Aboriginal women, although infant mortality rates likely contributed to the overall lower population figures.
- Out of 222 Aboriginal births, 93 were female and 129 were male, a ratio of 1 female to 1.3 males. This suggests a higher birth rate for males among Aboriginal populations.
Terms:
- Boyl-yas: Aboriginal sorcerers or wizards, believed to possess supernatural powers.
- Kobong: An animal or plant that is considered sacred to a particular Aboriginal clan.
- Kiley: The Aboriginal term for a boomerang.
- Meerro: An Aboriginal spear.
- Wan-na: A long digging stick used by Aboriginal women.
- Yowart-a-kaipoon: A type of kangaroo hunt where kangaroos are driven into a fire-enclosed area.
- By-yu: The pulp of the Zamia palm nut, poisonous in its raw state but edible when dried.
- Kwon-nat: The Aboriginal term for the gum of the mimosa tree, a prized food source.
- Jee-dyte: The term for an Aboriginal person who is not connected to a family involved in a crime.
Examples:
- The account of Stiles, the discontented member of Grey’s party, who deserted the group and later had to be rescued. This illustrates the challenges faced by Grey in keeping his men motivated and disciplined.
- The discovery of a native provision store, and Grey’s decision to steal from it to survive. This exemplifies the moral dilemmas faced by explorers in desperate circumstances.
- The story of Miago, the Aboriginal who was taken aboard the Beagle and later returned to a savage life. This highlights the difficulty of integrating Aboriginal people into European society.
- The encounter with a hostile tribe and Grey’s use of unusual tactics to disperse them. This illustrates the dangers and challenges of exploring unknown territory.
- The account of a native woman being attacked by other natives for stealing potatoes. This showcases the harsh penalties for theft within Aboriginal society.
- Warrup’s account of his journey with Mr. Roe in search of Grey’s missing party. This provides a fascinating glimpse into the Aboriginal perspective of the journey and the landscape.
Conclusion:
“Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery” is a valuable historical document offering a glimpse into the harsh realities of early colonial Australia. Grey’s account of his explorations highlights the challenges faced by explorers and the impact of European settlement on the continent. However, the most compelling aspect of the text lies in its detailed exploration of Aboriginal culture and language. Grey’s insightful observations, challenging prevailing misconceptions, provide a rich understanding of a complex and sophisticated society, highlighting their unique laws, customs, and beliefs. The text reminds us of the importance of respecting and understanding the diverse cultures that exist in the world, and the need to approach interaction with indigenous peoples with sensitivity and respect.