amsd_00233

Title: A message stick listed on eBay

Item type: message stick from a private sale

Linguistic area 1: Chirila: Kalkatungu Austlang: G13 - Kalkatungu / Kalkadoon Glottolog: kalk1246

Source types: sale item, ebay

Notes: Message stick presented for sale on eBay on 26 November 2016 by seller 'minjama'. eBay item number:222326565280 Seller's description: "Often called letters by the aboriginal people, message sticks were a form of communication between different clans and language groups to transmit messages, informing each other of a corroboree, a fight or other such event. This one originated from Far west Qld on the border with the Northern Territory, in the first half of the 20thc. Hardwood with incised lines and X's. Meas: 17 x 1.5cms." PK asked for more information on provenance and meaning. Seller replied on 29 November 2016: "Hi Piers, Good questions. Firstly, I am selling an old gentlemans collection, and he does not want to be named. I believe, although I did not say it in the listing, it to be the Kalkadoon tribe, Boulia. The message on the stick is too hard for me to interpret. I hope this is of some help. Best Regards, Angela"

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Data Entry: Piers Kelly