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| − | '''Australian Aboriginal [[kinship]]''' refers to the system of [[law]] governing social interaction, particularly [[marriage]], in traditional Aboriginal culture. It is an integral part of the culture of every [[List of Indigenous Australian group names|Aboriginal group]] across Australia. | + | A '''humpy''' is a small temporary shelter made from bark and branches, traditionally used by [[Australian Aborigines]]. The word humpy comes from the [[Jagara]] language (a [[Murri]] people from [[Coorparoo]]). Each [[Australian Aboriginal languages|language group]] would have varying names for such a structure. |
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| − | The main element is the division of [[clan]]s within the same language group into ''skin groups'', or [[moiety|moieties]]. In its simplest form, clans are divided into two skin groups. There may be four divisions (see [[Martu (Indigenous Australian)|Martu]]), while more complex systems can be divided into eight (see [[Pintupi]] and below). | + | The word humpy was adopted by early white settlers, and now forms part of the Australian lexicon. Small impermanent dwellings, including of canvas, often came to be referred to as humpies. |
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| − | The system dictates who may [[marry]] whom – it is always [[taboo]] to marry into your own skin group – creating strong [[incest]] avoidance laws and strong bonds across [[clan]]s through [[exogamous]] relations. While it can be determined at birth who will marry whom, [[love marriage]]s were not uncommon, so long as they were within the skin system. This can prove invaluable during [[drought]] or lack of resources, having [[cousin]]s and skin sisters and brothers in other clans. It also creates obligations to care for those people in their time of need. Even in [[Marn Grook|traditional ball games]], teams were divided along these lines.
| + | ==External links== |
| | + | *[http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/a/0/9/doc/a09287.shtml State Library of Victoria photo of Aboriginal men and humpy] |
| | + | *[http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/federation/stories/s427956.htm article on early white settlers making humpies] |
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| − | Each skin group has certain [[totem]]s associated with it. Some Aboriginal groups, such as the [[Yolngu]], include plants, animals and all aspects of the environment, as part of their respective skin groups.
| + | {{IndigenousAustralia-stub}} |
| − | | + | [[Category:Australian English]] |
| − | A person of the same skin group, of the same generation, is called "brother" or "sister". There are names for maternal aunts and uncles and different names for paternal aunts and uncles. Additionally, there are strong [[Australian Aboriginal avoidance relationships|avoidance relationships]] that need to be observed based on this system.
| + | [[Category:Australian Aboriginal culture]] |
| − | | + | [[Category:Australian Aboriginal terms]] |
| − | The skin group classification is [[cyclical]] in nature, changing with each [[generation]]. Non-Aboriginal people are often confounded to hear Aborigines refer to their great-[[grandmother]] as their [[daughter]], or their great-[[grandaughter]] their mother. They are actually referring to the fact that those relatives are in the same skin group, as well as acknowledging the cyclical nature of the system.
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| − | For traditional Aborigines, this system is a major foundation of their existence and way of viewing the world. As such, if a non-Aboriginal person is around their culture for any extended period, they must be [[adoption|adopted]] so they may be assigned a skin name and interact in the "proper way" with the group, knowing whom to avoid, whom to call sister, etc.
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| − | Many Aboriginal groups, particularly in the southeast of Australia, have lost this knowledge due to their [[Stolen generation|forced removal]] to [[mission (station)|mission]]s and [[orphanage|children's homes]], where many language groups mixed with each other, and Aboriginal language and cultural practice was forbidden.
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| − | Below are a few examples of different kinship systems from across Australia:
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| − | ==Systems with two skin groups==
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| − | ===Pitjantjatjara===
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| − | The [[Pitjantjatjara]] of northern [[South Australia]] have two [[moiety]] groups:
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| − | :'''''ngana nt arka''''' (lit. we-bone) 'our side'
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| − | :'''''tjanamilytjan''''' (lit. they flesh) 'their side'
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| − | However, they do not use skin names.
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| − | ===Yolŋu===
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| − | For the [[Yolŋu]] of north-east [[Arnhem Land]], life is divided into two skin groups: ''Dhuwa'' and ''Yirritja''. Each of these is represented by people of a number of different groups, each with their own lands, languages and philosophies:
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| − | :::{| class="wikitable"
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| − | |- bgcolor=#efefef
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| − | ! Skin name
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| − | ! Clan groups
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''''Yirritja'''''
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| − | | Gumatj, Gupapuyngu, Wangurri, Ritharrngu, Mangalili,<br/>Munyuku, Madarrpa, Warramiri, Dhalwangu, Liyalanmirri.
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''''Dhuwa'''''
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| − | |Rirratjingu, Galpu, Djambarrpuyngu, Golumala, Marrakulu,<br/>Marrangu, Djapu, Datiwuy, Ngaymil, Djarrwark.
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| − | |}
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| − | A ''Yirritja'' person must always marry a ''Dhuwa'' person and vice versa. If a man or woman is ''Dhuwa'', their mother will be ''Yirritja''.
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| − | Kinship relations are also mapped onto the lands owned by the Yolngu through their [[hereditary]] [[estates]] – so everything is either ''Yirritja'' or ''Dhuwa'' – every fish, stone, river, etc, belongs to one or the other [[moiety]].
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| − | ==Systems with eight skin groups==
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| − | ===Lardiil===
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| − | The [[Lardiil]] of [[Mornington Island]] in the [[Gulf of Carpentaria]] also have eight skin groups, shown here with some of their totems:
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| − | {{sectstub}}
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| − | ::{| class="wikitable"
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| − | |- bgcolor=#efefef
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| − | !Male skin group
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| − | !Totems
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| − | !Can only mary<br/>female skin group
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| − | !Children will be
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| − | |-
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| − | |Ngarrijbalangi
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| − | |''Rainbird, shooting star,<br/>egret''
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| − | |Burrarangi
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| − | |Bangariny
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| − | |-
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| − | |Bangariny
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| − | |''Brown hark, turtle''
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| − | |Yakimarr
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| − | |Ngarrijbalangi
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| − | |-
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| − | |Buranyi
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| − | |''Crane, salt water, <br/>sleeping turtle''
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| − | |Kangal
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| − | |-
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| − | |Balyarriny
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| − | |''Black tiger shark,<br/>sea turtle''
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| − | |Kamarrangi
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| − | |-
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| − | |Burrarangi
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| − | |''Lightning, rough sea,<br/>black dingo''
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| − | |Ngarrijbalangi
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| − | |-
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| − | |Yakimarr
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| − | |Seagull, barramundi,<br/>grey shark
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| − | |Bangariny
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| − | |-
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| − | |Kangal
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| − | |''[[Barramundi]],<br/>grey shark''
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| − | |Buranyi
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| − | |-
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| − | |Kamarrangi
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| − | |''Rock, pelican, [[brolga]],<br/>red dingo''
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| − | |Balyarriny
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| − | |}
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| − | Each Lardiil person belongs to one of these groups. Their paternal [[grandfather]]'s skin group determines their own; so a Balyarriny man or woman will have a Balyarriny grandfather. A Ngarrijbalangi person can only marry a Burrarangi, a Bangariny a Yakimarr, a Buranyi a Kangal and a Balyarriny a Kamarrangi, and vice versa for each.
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| − | Once a person's skin group is known, their relationship to any other Lardiil can be determined. A Ngarrijbalangi is a 'father' to a Bangariny, a 'father-in-law' to a Yakimarr and a 'son' to another Bangariny, either in a social sense or purely through linearship.
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| − | ===Pintupi===
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| − | The [[Pintupi]] of the [[Western Desert (Australia)|Western Desert]] have a complex kinship system, made more so by distinct prefixes for male and female skin names; "Tj" for males, "N" for females. The [[Warlpiri]] system is almost the same:
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| − | :::{| class="wikitable"
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| − | |- bgcolor=#efefef
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| − | !Gender
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| − | !Skin name
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| − | !First marriage</br> preference
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| − | !Children will be
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Male'''
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| − | |Tjapaltjarri
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| − | |Nakamarra
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| − | |Tjungurrayi, Nungurrayi
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Female'''
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| − | |Napaltjarri
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| − | |Tjakamarra
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| − | |Tjupurrula, Napurrula
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Male'''
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| − | |Tjapangati
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| − | |Nampitjinpa
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| − | |Tjapanangka, Napanangka
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Female'''
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| − | |Napangati
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| − | |Tjampitjinpa
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| − | |Tjangala, Nangala
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Male'''
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| − | |Tjakamarra
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| − | |Napaltjarri
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| − | |Tjupurrula, Napurrula
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Female'''
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| − | |Nakamarra
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| − | |Tjapaltjarri
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| − | |Tjungurrayi, Nungurrayi
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Male'''
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| − | |Tjampitjinpa
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| − | |Napangati
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| − | |Tjangala, Nangala
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Female'''
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| − | |Nampitjinpa
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| − | |Tjapangati
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| − | |Tjapanangka, Napanangka
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Male'''
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| − | |Tjapanangka
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| − | |Napurrula
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| − | |Tjapangati, Napangati
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Female'''
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| − | |Napanangka
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| − | |Tjupurrula
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| − | |Tjakamarra, Nakamarra
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Male'''
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| − | |Tjungurrayi
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| − | |Nangala
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| − | |Tjapaltjarri, Napaltjarri
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Female'''
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| − | |Nungurrayi
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| − | |Tjangala
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| − | |Tampitjinpa, Nampitjinpa
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Male'''
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| − | |Tjupurrula
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| − | |Napanangka
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| − | |Tjakamarra, Nakamarra
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Female'''
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| − | |Napurrula
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| − | |Tjapanangka
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| − | |Tjapangati, Napangati
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Male'''
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| − | |Tjangala
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| − | |Nungurrayi
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| − | |Tjampitjinpa, Nampitjinpa
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''Female'''
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| − | |Nangala
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| − | |Tjungarayyi
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| − | |Tjapaltjarri, Napaltjarri
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| − | |}
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| − | Each person therefore has a [[patriline|patrimoiety]] and a [[matriline|matrimoiety]], a father's and a mother's skin group.
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| − | ==See also==
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| − | *[[Australian Aboriginal avoidance relationships]]
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| − | *[[List of Indigenous Australian group names]]
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| − | *[[Noongar classification]]
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| − | *[[Indigenous Australians]]
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| − | *[[Warlpiri#kinship|Warlpiri kinship]]
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| − | ==References==
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| − | *Binnion, Joan (1979) ''The Lardil People of Mornington Island (Student Handbook)'', Aboriginal Community College, Port Adelaide.
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| − | *Hansen, Kenneth C. and Lesley E. Hansen, 1979, ''Pintupi/Luritja kinship'', Alice Springs, NT, Institute for Aboriginal Development.
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| − | *[http://ausanthrop.net/research/kinship/ Ausanthrop kinship tutorial]
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| − | *[http://www.ausanthrop.net/research/kinship/kinship2.php Ausanthrop]
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| − | *[http://www.clc.org.au/ourculture/kinship.asp Central Land Council]
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| − | [[Category:Australian Aboriginal culture|Kinship]] | |
| − | [[Category:Anthropology|Australian Aboriginal kinship]] | |
| − | [[Category:Sociology|Australian Aboriginal Kinship]]
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| − | [[Category:Indigenous Australians|Kinship]]
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| − | [[Category:Marriage|Australian Aboriginal Kinship]]
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| − | [[Category:Australian Aboriginal terms|Kinship]] | |
