Curious Custom

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 95, 22 April 1940, Page 10

Curious Custom

BURIAL OF AN ABORIGINE. KALGOORLIE, April 6th. Believed at first to he the remain.'' of a prospector who disappeared two years ago, the bones found 30 miles from Laver ton this week have been I proved to be those of a native woman. The remains throw light on a curious burial custom of the Windarra tribe. Police found the remains lying or| au oid blanket in a square hole, li ' inches deep, on the summit of a sandk.ll. The head Mae towards tht north and the feet towards the south, where the spirit of evil is supposed tc dwell. tested w ith a compasf, the bearings were remarkably accurate. Two bags containing the clothes worn bv the woman swung in a tree nea rfcy. Across the remains were laid long, thin sticks which were supposed to at-

tract all evil from the body. The remains have rested in the square grave for nearly a year. When the year has elapsed, the tribe will return to burn the sticks at a corroboree to rid the world of the evil in the deceased, and they will bury tho bones elsewhere.