BMA1946_0003_2_B

Title: A response message stick concerning betrothal sent by Narritjin at Yirrkala to Mianggadja on Groote Eylandt (two of five in a set)

Description: Berndt object file description: "Made from a blonde wood, rectangular with incised meaningful designs. Some have fur or wool attachments. Two have been red ochred before incising.</p> 2” to 3” in length </p> MANUFACTURE: Specific: Made of soft ‘milk-wood’ and engraved with sharp stone chips.</p> Human hair has been used on one (a)</p> General (throughout Australia): Usually made from gidyea, ti-tree, or any other convenient wood; coloured black, yellow or red and ranging from 2-4’ in length. The sticks may be of various shapes from flat to round with a variety of patterns. A twig in the rough may also be used marked in various places, or a bundle of rags tied round with twine or cotton etc. Holes or notches as well as engraved markings may be used on the sticks."

Message: «We are ready for your betrothed daughter to be sent to my son» </p> From: Ngarritjin</p> Sent: 24 January, 1947 To: Mianggadja and Mianggadja's wife Subject: RE: marriage preparations Recipient: Mianggadja /Mianggadja's wife (mother of betrothed)</p> Berndt object file: "ORIGINATOR(S) [...](b) – Ngaradjin of Yirrkalla (Manggalilji mada)" Berndt object file: "(b) The return message stick [to BERNDT1946_0003_1_A], meant to be sent by Ngaradjin of Yirrkalla to the girl’s parents at Groote saying that a girl from Groote was promised to Ngaradin’s son, and that all is ready at Yirrkalla for her to be sent."

Creator of Object: Sender: Narritjin</p> Recipient: Mianggadja /Mianggadja's wife (mother of betrothed)</p> Berndt object file: "ORIGINATOR(S) [...](b) – Ngaradjin of Yirrkalla (Manggalilji mada)"

Date Created: 1947

Notes on date created: Object file: "January 24th 1947". Note that the Berndts arrived in Yirrkala in September 1946 (Gray 2012) and left again in July 1947 (Gray 2005)

Item type: message stick in a collection

Subtype: traditional

State/Territory: NT

Linguistic area 1: Chirila: Dhangu Austlang: N192 - Dhangu Glottolog: dhan1270

Linguistic area 2: Chirila: Anindilyakwa Austlang: N151 - Anindilyakwa Glottolog: anin1240

Notes on linguistic areas: The origin of the message stick is Yirrkala Sent from Yirrkala to Groote Eylandt Berndt object file: "Wálamba (or Murngin) people". For the Berndts' understanding of these terms see especially pp50-53 of Schebeck, Bernhard. 2001. Dialect and social groupings in Northeast Arnheim [Arnhem] Land. Munich: Lincom Europa.

Cultural region: TopEnd_arnhem_east

Semantic domains: purpose_response, sd_activity_marriage, sd_person_female_girl

Materials: milk wood

Institution/Holder file: Berndt Museum object identifier: 1946/0003.1-5

Collector: Ronald Berndt. Berndt object file: "(a) (b) and (d) were obtained by the collector from Ngaradjin", "INFORMANT: Ngaradin (a, b, d)"

Coordinates: 12°15'10.000800"S,136°53'30.001200"E  (-12.252778, 136.891667)

Media copyright: Berndt Museum

Notes on coordinates: Absolute coordinates for Yirrkala

Notes: The requesting message stick, to which this object relates directly, is BERNDT1946_0003_1 10.12.2024 PK: A typed version of the object file is in PK's 'Notes on message sticks' document, under Berndt, Ronald M. 1947. Message sticks key card: 681. Perth: Berndt Archive. BERNDT1946_0003_2_B

Media Files:

Data Entry: Piers Kelly