conversation either the Kumbo Bootha names, or others derived from place of birth, from some circumstance connected with it, a child's mispronunciation of a word, some peculiarity noticed in the child, or still more often they call each other by the name proclaiming the degree of relationship.
For example, a girl calls the daughters of her mother and of her aunts alike sisters.
Boahdee SISTER
Wambaneah FULL BROTHER
Dayadee HALF BROTHER
Gurrooghee UNCLE
Wulgundee UNCLE'S WIFE
Kummean SISTER'S SISTER
Numbardee MOTHER
Numbardee MOTHER'S SISTER
Beealahdee FATHER
Beealahdee MOTHER'S SISTERS' HUSBANDS
Gnahgnahdee GRANDMOTHER ON FATHER'S SIDE
Bargie GRANDMOTHER ON MOTHER'S SIDE
Dadadee GRANDFATHER ON MOTHER'S SIAE
Gurroomi A SON-IN-LAW, OR ONE WHO COULD BE A SON-IN-LAW
Goonooahdee A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, OR ONE WHO COULD BE A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
Gooleerh HUSBAND OR WIFE, OR ONE WHO MIGHT BE SO.
So relationships are always kept in their memories by being daily used as names. There are other general names, too, such as—
Mullayerh A TEMPORARY MATE OR COMPANION
Moothie A FRIEND OF CHILDHOOD IN AFTER LIFE
Doore-oothai A LOVER
Dillahga AN ELDERLY MAN OF THE SAME TOTEM
Tuckandee A YOUNG MAN OF THE SAME TOTEM, RECKONED AS A SORT OF
BROTHER.
Another list of names used ordinarily is—
Boothan LAST POSSIBLE CHILD OF A WOMAN
Mahmee OLD WOMAN
Beewun MOTHERLESS GIRL
Gowun FATHERLESS GIRL
Yumbui FATHERLESS BOY
Moogul ONLY CHILD.
Those of the same totem are reckoned as brothers and sisters, so cannot intermarry. 'Boyjerh' relations, as those on the father's side are called, are not so important as on the mother's side, but are still recognised.
Now for the great Dhe, or totem system, by some called Mah, but Dhe, is the more correct.
Dinewan, or emu, is a totem, and has amongst its multiplex totems' or 'sub-totems'—
Goodoo OR CODFISH
Gumbarl SILVER BREAM
Inga CRAYFISH
Boomool SHRIMPS
Gowargay WATER EMU SPIRIT
Moograbah BIG BLACK-AND-WHITE MAGPIE
Booloorl LITTLE NIGHT OWL
Byahmul BLACK SWAN
Eerin A LITTLE NIGHT OWL
Beerwon A BIRD LIKE A SWALLOW
Dulloorah THE MANNA-BRINGING BIRDS
Bunnyal FLIES
Dheal SACRED FIRE
Gidya AN ACACIA
Yaraan AN EUCALYPTUS
Deenyi IRONBARK
Guatha QUANDONG
Goodooroo RIVER BOX
Mirieh POLIGONUM
Yarragerh THE NORTH-EAST WIND
Guie TREE—OWENIA ACIDULA
Niune WILD MELON
Binnamayah BIG SALTBUSH.
Bohrah, the kangaroo, is another totem, and is considered somewhat akin to Dinewan. For example, in a quarrel between, say, the Bohrah totem and the Beewee, the Dinewan would take the part of the former rather than the latter.
Amongst the multiplex totems of Bohrah are—
Goolahwilleel TOPKNOT PIGEONS
Boogoodoogadah THE RAIN-BIRD
Gilah PINK-BREASTED PARROT
Quarrian YELLOW AND RED BREASTED GREY PARROT
Buln Buln GREEN PARROT
Gidgerregah SMALL GREEN PARROT
Cocklerina A ROSE AND YELLOW CRESTED WHILE COCKATOO
Youayah FROGS
Guiggahboorool BIGGEST ANT-BEDS
Dunnia WATTLE TREE
Mulga AN ACACIA
Gnoel SANDALWOOD
Brigalow AN ACACIA
Yarragerh NORTH-EAST WIND, SAME AS DINEWAN'S.
All clouds, lightning, thunder, and rain that is not blown up by the wind of another totem, belong to Bohrah.
Beewee, brown and yellow Iguana, numerically a very powerful totem, has for multiplex totems—
Gai-gai CATFISH
Curreequinquin BUTCHER-BIRD
Gougourgahgah LAUGHING-JACKASS
Deenbi DIVERS
Birroo Birroo SAND BUILDERS
Deegeenboyah SOLDIER-BIRD
Weedah BOWER-BIRD
Mooregoo Mooregoo BLACK IBIS
Booloon WHITE CRANE
Noodulnoodul WHISTLING DUCKS
Goborrai STARS
Gulghureer PINK LIZARD
Goori PINE
Talingerh NATIVE FUCHSIA
Guiebet NATIVE PASSION FRUIT
Boonburr POISON TREE
Gungooday STOCKMAN'S WOOD
Guddeeboondoo
