Spencer & Gillen

A journey through Aboriginal Australia

Seven stars myth documented by F.J. Gillen.

Physical Description

2 pages from one sheet of hand-written notes on Aboriginal mythology.

Transcript

Page 806

p806 see also p844-845

The 7 stars known as Mungarila are the daughters of the Deaf Adder Bundaringa & the large star near to them in Gurgunga a man who is stationed there always watching them. Long ago Gurgunya was on earth a kangaroo sat [?][?] where he was living quietly in his camp two of the daughters of Bundaringa disgraced themselves {?}{?}{?} & visited him at the camp they talked to him for a long time then taking a fire stick they went away. After they had gone Gurgunya noticed a number of flies gathered about the spot where the girls sat gown he said Hulloa [?] those self styled young men are women he smelt the place & said yes they are women & at once started to follow them. He got close to their camp & saw that they were not “straight” [?] for him. By and by the mother who had seven daughters sent her eldest daughter Karlitu out to him so that he might have connections with her but he declined to have anything to do with her & ordered her back to her camp the mother sent out her second daughter Warulu who was also declined. Then Kanala, Minarta, Marulu and Wongarla in the order [?] with the same results. The girls crowded around their mother saying mother he will not touch as he wants you [?] [?] wants you. The old woman went to sleep lying on her back and while in the [?] Gurgunya came along & satisfied her while the daughters [?] him with yam sticks & {?} shields and had to force him to release her Still connected he forced her along until they reached the back of Bundilaii where the old woman expired from loss of blood. The daughters followed by Gurgunya ascended into the sky

Page 805

[crossed out words] where they have remained ever since watched by Gurgunya who wanders about on the earth in the form of a hawk called Gurgunya & is responsible for the menstrual powers in all women.

Rights: Barr Smith Library

Document Details

Date Made
Circa
Creator
State
South Australia

Subjects

Language Groups

Institution

Institution
Barr Smith Library
Registration
unnumbered doc9