AustLit

Compilation of material gathered by W. A. Cawthorne, including extracts from his diaries and journals 1842-1859; and copies of:

a) 'Sketch of the Aborigines of South Australia' c1845; p. 63-92; which includes information about physical characteristics; government; weapons - spears, spearthrowers, shields, clubs, daggers; recreation - toys; corroborees; music; domestic utensils - climbing sticks , baskets, fire sticks; clothing; food and food preparation; hunting and gathering; shelters; ornaments; initiation - circumcision, cicatrization; beliefs - celestial phenomena, the earth; burial and mourning; marriage; sickness; magic; tribal meeting; short word list;

b) 'Aborigines and Their Customs' 1864; p. 84-92; which elucidates Cawthorne's views on the significance of racial and cultural differences; language; religious orientation; territorial division;

and

c) other miscellaneous published material.