Natural History Society

A meeting of the above society was held last week in the Museum library, the president, Mr R Illidge, being in the chair. The attendance was good, among those present being Mr W A Hargreaves, M.A., Mr J P Thomson, F.R.G.S., Captain McKie, Mr C J Wild, F.L.S., and Dr Turner. A number of useful publications were announced as received for the library. Four new members were elected, and three proposed for ballot at next meeting.

Aboriginal Initiation Rites

Mr A T O Preston, the honorary secretary, gave a paper on “A Supposed Bora-ground at Nudgee”, of which the following is a summary - “My purpose in introducing to you the subject of this supposed Bora-ground is not in the belief that it has any peculiar features which would serve to distinguish it from others wherever found, but in the hope that, having brought it under scientific notice, steps may be taken towards its preservation. How that could best be accomplished need not be discussed here.

As will be seen, however, it has not escaped entirely the ravages of time, and there seems a probability that it has been partly destroyed by human ignorance. (The author here gave a description of the ceremonies, which were transacted at the Bora meetings, compiled from the writings of several students of the Australian natives.) To Mr WM Soutter, secretary of the Queensland Acclimatisation Society, we are indebted for the initial suggestion, which led to a visit, and the production of the following notes on this interesting relic of a race, which has all but disappeared from the district.

The ground occupies a position in the Government water reserve, a mile back from Nudgee Beach, and a few hundred yards from Child’s vineyard. It is situated on a large flat at some height above the Nudgee Beach flats. A large lagoon, the salvation of the neighbourhood, existed on the right, facing seawards, and round the open ground on which the ring is found is a dense tea-tree forest. The Bora-ground itself is a circular mound, 50ft. in diameter and 18in. high, and presents very much the appearance of a circus ring. On the western side the ring has been broken, whither by the removal of soil or gravel, or excavations such as would remain after burning of logs, is not apparent. On the opposite side the mound is not so distinguishable, the long period, which has elapsed since its use, and consequent preservation by the natives, telling its own tale, the mound being less abrupt than in other places, and showing that in time it will merge into the general level of the plain. On the eastern edge there is an old tree stump, and scattered patches of prickly pear are here and there encroaching into the circle. From the western side a shallow depression or track leads away for nearly 300 yards, crosses the road, and is finally lost in some cultivated land near Sarro, and Fleming’s farms.

It is at about this spot we would expect to meet with the second and perhaps smaller circle, which would complete the Bora-ground. I find from residents that such a circle did formerly exist in property owned by Mr Kunde, but his having been at one time cultivated, evidence of its existence has disappeared.

The oldest resident of the Nudgee district, as far as I could ascertain, is Mr Bennett, of thirty-three years’ standing. He however does not know of the Bora ceremony, and though the ground is well known by most of the inhabitants as a Bora-ground, it appears that nothing of the nature of a Bora ceremony has taken place since their arrival. That such is the case, however, calls for little surprise, knowing that early settlers in this district had little freedom, and perhaps less sense of the value of anything bearing on the ethnology of the blacks.

Local blacks, however, whom I have had the opportunity of seeing, have justified the belief that the surmise is correct, and have at the same time mentioned the position of other Bora-grounds. It is however, a dubious experiment to extract reliable information from the “civilised” aboriginal, and I can only give this statement in support, and not as proof, though my informants volunteered the statement without questioning.

It would appear, then, that at least thirty-five years have intervened, but probably forty, since this particular site was utilised for the bora ceremony. I may add that it appears the rites have not for many years been carried out in their entirety, and that among our own tribes no mutilation takes place.

There is merely the inculcation of moral and other lessons, and in the words of a native it is as much a “lark” to those who undergo the ceremony as to those who operate. In conclusion, it appears suitable that the attention of a scientific society should be turned towards the question of preserving such remains belonging to former inhabitants of our country, and this perhaps more for the sake of future generations, when no doubt more light may be thrown on the native races, and points hitherto unrecognised may arise which will lend additional significance to these initiation circles, and should steps be taken towards this end, it will be felt that these notes have not failed in some useful purpose.”

Mr Thomson, while referring to similar circles and rites among the Polynesians, said that the subject of the paper had come under his notice lately, but that he had no information regarding its authenticity. He complimented the writer on bringing the matter so ably before the society, and suggested that steps should be taken to visit the spot in a united excursion.

Mr Hargreaves asked what would account for the formation of such a circle, if not made for the purpose suggested.

Mr McKie said that such circles were sometimes formed for the breaking in of horses.

Mr Preston briefly replied, expressing the hope that further investigation on the part of others would throw light on the subject.

DISCLAIMER

Many historical accounts relating to Aboriginal peoples include racist and derogatory language, and some people may find this language offensive and upsetting. This style of writing reflects the language of the day and should only be used in its historical context. No offence or harm is intended through the reproduction of this paper, and due care must be taken when referring to its contents.

Today, the Nudgee Bora Ring is a protected cultural heritage site under the Cultural Record (Landscapes Queensland and Queensland Estate) Act 1987 and is an important part of Queensland’s cultural heritage estate.

Reproduced by the

Shire of Toombul History Group

November 2001

New Nudgee Waterholes Nha-Dha Facility

Nudgee Waterholes

Nudgee Bora Ring

NUDGEE BORA RING - 1895 HISTORY PAPER

A Bora-ground at Nudgee

From a paper presented to The Natural History Society meeting held during October 1895 and reported in The Scientific & Useful column of The Queenslander, October 19, 1895, p. 759

View of the Bora Ring with the new Cultural, Sporting and Community Facility in the background.