LOVED SAME GIRL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 28 September 1927, Page 6

LOVED SAME GIRL

ABOS FIGHT DUEL TRIBE JOINS IN. A PITCHED BATTLE. Sydney. September 22. An aborigine was killed and two others were injured in a tribal brawl, which started over a duel for a “efin” between two young bucks, near Broome, on Wednesday. The two young men both wanted to marry the same girl. According to tribal law. it was the custom for the dispute to be settled by a duel between the two aspirants for the hand of the dusky bride. This duel took place in the presence of the whole tribe, and the victor received her in marriage. Before she left the gunyah of »hr parents, however, her mother and father and other relatives delivered advice to her, accompanied with a liberal use of pliant green sticks. Her husband-to-be resented this treatment of his future wife, and interfered. He attacked the girl’s parents In a few moments the camp was in an uproar, and members of the tribe divided on the question and started a free fight. Spears, clubs and boomerangs were the main weapons of the rival parties. When a partv of police arrived on the scene to Quell the disturbance, it was found that one of the tribe had received fatal wounds, while many others were bleeding from wounds inflicted bv the weapons of the opposite side. Two received medical treatment. The blacks weer stationed at the Forest River Mission, and though under the supervision of civilised mis. sionaries. the tribes retain their independence and settle family troubles themselves. The police had 2 hard task to quell the disturbance, and at one stage it looked as if the small party of whites would be overwhelm ed by the surging mass of tribesmen brandishing their weapons.