Page:Native Tribes of South-East Australia.djvu/71

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II
THE TRIBAL ORGANISATION
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is derived from Ngadi, which affirms the statement of another person without using the word meaning "yes."[1]

(2) The Pando-etya or Pandola were the inhabitants of the country around Lake Hope (Bando pirna or Great Lake).

(3) The Kunari-kana, that is the Kunari "men," occupied the country around Kopperamana and Killalpanina. Kunara is the name of Cooper's Creek where it flows through the Kopperamana and Killalpanina districts, and during floods spreads over a width of 12 miles. Pando is "lake," and la "of" or "from" a place, and the termination etya implies a constant inhabiting, and is equivalent to our terminal "er" (Londoner).

(4) The Paritiltya-kana, that is the Paritiltya "men," were the people in the country from Kopperamana northwards to the Salt Creek. Paritiltya is derived from pari, "a valley," and tiltya, "a lowest place or part," hence meaning the bottom of the valley. It refers to the habit of these people of fixing their camps in a valley close to the creek so as to be near the water, while the other Dieri camp on the higher ground.[2]

In former times, according to Dieri traditions, their forefathers held the country now occupied by the Wonkanguru, by whom they were thrust out—the Wonkanguru having been themselves expelled from their country by the Wonkatyeri, who had been driven out by the Wonkamala. Such tribal changes no doubt frequently occurred in past ages.

  1. The following will show the use of ngadi
    Tankubana   ugaldra   ninki   dandru   puntilla   nganai.   Ngadi!
    To-morrow   morning   we-two   this place   from away   will.   All right!
    Ngato   neyi   ngakani   nayina   warai.   Ngadi!
    I   elder-brother   mine   seen   have.   Indeed!
    Nau   muntya   pirna   nganai.   Ngadi!
    He   sick   very   will (is).   You don't say so!

    Ani or anai is the native termination, and the ng is introduced for euphony. The alternative name Bukatyiri means "wood" or "forest," because in the country of this horde the trees and bushes are much more plentiful than in that of the Kunari.

  2. Professor Spencer tells me that the Purulu and Kumara always, when they can, pitch their camps on rising ground, and the Panunga and Bulthara on low ground near a creek, if one be present.