Yiwara: Foragers of the Australian Desert

Based on field work at Partjar oasis (Clutterbuck Hills) & Warburton Mission, 1966-67 among Ngatatjara people; p.1-36; A day with the desert people, method of hunting for emu & lizards, collection of plant foods, cooking method, food sharing rules, preparation of plant foods, sorcery - use of carved board for death pointing, carving - implement, pressure; flaking with teeth, manufacture of bark sandals; p.37-53; The Gibson Desert & its early explorers, topography, ecology, historical information on explorers; p.54-71; Archaeological background, physical features, genetic characteristics, physical adaptation to environment, dialects of Pitjantjara spoken in Gibson Desert (Ngatatjara, Pintupi, Nyatunyatjara), approximate population statistics, learning to; to speak Ngatatjara, adaptation of English words, sign language; p.72-120; Weapons & implements - throwing stick, grinding stones, spear-thrower (throwing method, accuracy, use in fire making & as woodworking tool), flake tools, manufacture of spears, tracking ability; p.101-134; Desert rituals & the sacred life, description of circumcision ceremony, notes on six section system, circumsion & subincision, display of sacred objects, meaning of ceremonies, visit to Pukara totemic waterhole (stone arrangements, fire; making by saw method, increase ritual, myth (brief version) associated with waterhole), attitudes to ghosts, exorcising ritual, socrery & sorcerers; p.135-164; Lake Moore stone arrangement, possible game trap, mythical associations of serpentine arrangement; Partjar canyon stone arrangements, mythical associations, rock paintings at Wintjara (Glen Cumming), pigments used, totemic motifs, rock engravings at Wintjaru 26m. north of Warburton Mission, possible hunting magic; p.164-189; Attractions of Mission life for Aborigines, copper mining venture at Warburton Mission 1961-1966, employment by Western Mining Corp., social barriers between Mission Aborigines & desert families, equation of eight section system with; Warburton section system (summary in tabular form), description of camp life at Warburton Mission, effect of infectious disease, incidence of polygyny, theft, begging; p.204-211; Glossary (c.70 terms) of English & Ngatatjara terms for plants, animals, anthropological concepts, implements, dialect names; plates show camp life, method of holding & throwing with spearthrower, manufacture of spear, totemic ceremonies, ritual objects, stone arrangements; line drawings include designs for body painting, division of kangaroo carcase, bark sandal making, incised designs from ritual object.