Show Australian Initiations The Initiation ceremonies of the natives natives natives na na- na- na tives of Australia have In recent years received the attention of a number of anthropologists The latest paper upon upon upon up up- on the subject deals with the initiation ceremonies of the Arunta tribe Central Australia and is by Prof Baldwin Spencer and F. F J. J J.-Gillen J. Gillen Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria vol X Issued May 1898 It may be re recalled recalled recalled re- re called that an account of the Eng- Eng ceremony as performed by the Arunta tribe appeared In Nature a year ago The is not passed through until probably the native has reached the age of at least 25 or even 30 but this final and Impressive ceremony ceremony cere cere- ceremony mony Is preceded by others beginning at about the age of 10 or 12 through which practically every Australian native native native na na- na- na tive has to pass before he Is admitted to the secrets of the tribe and regarded regard regard- ed as a fully developed member of it It need hardly be pointed out that authentic authentic authentic au au- au- au records such as are given In Inthe Inthe inthe the present paper of ceremonial rites of aboriginal tribes are of increasing scientific value even though the significance significance significance sig sig- sig- sig of the rites Is not understood Nature |