Aboriginal men of high degree

223 Pages·1994·4.11 MB·English

by  Elkin, A. P.

A M
boriginal en
H D
of igh egree

A M
boriginal en
H D
of igh egree
Initiation and Sorcery
in the World’s Oldest Tradition
A. P. ELKIN
Inner Traditions
Rochester, Vermont

Inner Traditions International
One Park Street
Rochester, Vermont 05767
www.InnerTraditions.com
First published by the University of Queensland Press,
St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
Copyright © 1977, 1994 by University of Queensland Press
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval
system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Elkin, A. P. (Adolphus Peter), 1891–1979
Aboriginal men of high degree: initiation and sorcery in the
world’s oldest tradition / A. P. Elkin.
p. cm.
Originally published: 2nd ed. St. Lucia, Queensland:
Queensland University Press, 1978, c1977.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-89281-421-3
ISBN 0-89281-421-7
1. Australian aborigines—Medicine. 2. Shamans—Australia.
3. Australian aborigines—Religion. I. Title.
GN666.E3 1994
299'.92—dc20 93-30461
CIP
Printed and bound in the United States
10 9 8 7 6
Text design by Electric Dragon Productions
Contents
Foreword ix
Maps xiv
Foreword to 1976 Edition xvii
Introduction to 1976 Edition xxiii
Introduction to First Edition xxv
Part I 1
The Personality, Making, and Powers of
Aboriginal Men of High Degree
Chapter 1 3
Aboriginal Men of High Degree:
Their Personality and Making
Aboriginal Life—A Progress in Knowledge 3
The Problems of Daily Life 5
The Personality of Medicine Men 7
Medicine Men, Outstanding Personalities 10
Medicine Men As Normal People 13
How Selected or “Called” 16
The Making of Medicine Men: Taking the High Degree 18
Uncircumcision Regions • Circumcision Regions •
Distribution of Abdominal Operation • Mummification Pattern of Ritual •
Medicine Men Making, A Pre-Enactment of Magical Killing •
Medicine Man’s Power Supernatural
Chapter 2 38
The Powers of Medicine Men
Sorcery and Its Cure 39
An Explanation of Illness and Death • Pointing and Other Forms of Sorcery •
Doctor and Patient • Thought Transference • Clairvoyance and Mind Reading
The Strong Eye 50
Medicine Man As Detective and Coroner
Psychic Displays 53
Walking on Fire • The Use of Magic Cord • Disappearing and Reappearing •
Creating Illusions • Fast Traveling • Meditation
Comparison with Tibet 59
Psychic Terrors • Ritual Cannibalism • Rapid Traveling • Telepathy •
Secret Cults and Religion
Conclusion 68
Part 2 73
The Making and Powers—A Survey
Chapter 3 75
The Uncircumcision Regions
Plan of Survey 75
South of the Murray 76
The Coast of New South Wales 81
The Western Districts of New South Wales 83
Eastern and Northern Queensland 96
The Southwestern Corner (Western Australia) 99
Chapter 4 104
The Circumcision Regions
South Australia and the Neighboring Region of
Western Australia 104
North-Central Australia and Northwestern Queensland 113
Far Northwestern Queensland 119
Arnhem Land 121
The Kimberley Division, Northwest Australia 127
Part 3 139
Aboriginal Men of High Degree in
a Changing World
Chapter 5 141
Mystic Experience: Essential Qualification for
Men of High Degree
The High Degree: Northern New South Wales 142
The High Degree: Northern Kimberley, Western Australia 146
The High Degree: Southwest Kimberley, Western Australia 150
Chapter 6 154
Animistic and Magical Causes of Illness
Black and White Medicine: Parallel and Complementary 159
Doctor-Man in Health Services 162
Men of High Degree: Their Passing? 166