ISBN:
0-85575-056-1
,
978-0-85575-056-5
Language:
English
Pages:
xiv, 218 Seiten
,
Illustrationen, Karten
Series Statement:
Australian Aboriginal Studies. Ethnohistory Series no. 4
Keywords:
Australien Ureinwohner, Australien
;
Ethnologie
;
Beziehungen Indigenes Volk-Regierung
;
Beziehungen Aborigine-Weiße
;
Biographie
;
Autobiographie
Abstract:
"I still feel that some part of me is closely linked with my heritage. I might have modern views in many ways, but there is another line of thought that draws me backwards. I fell that I am living between two worlds, and I am not even a full-blood ..." With these words Jimmie Barker expressed the dilemma of a tribal Aboriginal in a white-ruled society. A member of the Muruwari of north-western New South Wales and able to recall much of its language, lore and legends, yet well read and knowledgeabel on subjects belonging to European civilisation, Jimmie was uniquely equipped to describe the effect of white settlement and white government on his people. He was born in 1900, and from an early age spent most of his time in the company of the older members of the tribe, listening to thier stories and songs and learning bush lore.In 1912 Jimmie, his mother and brother and many of their friends were compulsorily moved to a government reserve known as "the Mission". They had been happy on the station where Jimmie's mother had worked as a housemaid at the homestead, but this new move marked the beginning of years of suffering and struggle. Later Jimmie was apprenticed on a large station, and later still he returned to the Mission. married and raised a family.This book is probably the first to present an Aboriginal's impression of life as resident on a government settlement. Jimmie Barker's experiences were typical of Aborigines in the far west of New South Wales in the early 20th century. It was, however, this unique combination of a traditional cultural backgournd and the mastery of English language and European ways that made Jimmie Barker a member of two separate worlds. (Umschlagtext)
Description / Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements -- Preface -- 1. Mundiwa: "All was laughter ... now so silent" -- 2. Milroy: "The spirits created by Bida-Ngulu were near" -- 3. The Mission: "The manager walked beween us with a stockwhip in his hand" -- 4. Apprenticeship: "I must not raise my hands, even in self-defence" -- 5. Return to the Mission: "I am about to leave you and want to say goodbye" -- 6. Brewarrina and Lightning Ridge: "More decisions had to be made" -- Postscript -- Appendix: The Aboriginal station at Brewarrina
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