Noongar classification
Encyclopedia
Noongar classification refers to the classification system in tribal law by which the Noongar
, an indigenous Australian people, enforced restrictions on intermarriage
.
The Western Australia an atlas of human endeavour
divides Noongar classification systems into four types:
"Perth" type
These groups were split between the (White Cockatoo) Manitjmat and (Australian Raven) Wardungmat moieties with the moiety determined by one's mother. Both groups are exogamous
"Bibelmen" type
These groups used the same Manitjmat and Wardunmat moieties but descent here was determined patrilineally.
"Nyakinyaki" type
These groups used (Bee-eater) Birranga and (Sacred Kingfisher) Djuak as the "skin" groups.
"Wudjari" Type
Terminology
local descent groups are generally patrilineal in type, in which members are linked by both descent and through mythological ties to a named ancestor. Local descent groups are always exogamous, and are associated with specific territories held collectively in trust in perpetuity.
totemic descent groups are similar although the mythical significance of the species after whom the descent group is named is much stronger, and figures much more significantly in the myths of the people involved. Members in this case may not be genealogically related, and these groups are almost always exogamous.
"moieties" classify everyone in the world into two mutually exclusive categories, which are always exogamous. Moieties may be either patrilineal or matrilineal (determined by the moiety of the father or the mother).
alternate generation levels classify a person in the same generation level with grandparents and grandchildren. Parents and children would also share the same generation level. In alternate generation levels, marriage is endogamous.
"sectional" systems (often called skin) are usually where a person belongs to one of four named groups always from birth (although "skin' may be confirred to outsiders as adults). These groups are always exogamous.
Daisy Bates
stated that under the system, each Noongar was placed in same class as their mother, and no Noongar was permitted to marry someone of the same class as themselves. The classes were:
Early observers of Noongar culture were sometimes confused by aspects of this system. George Grey incorrectly referred to the class names as family name
s, for example. Some confusion was also caused by the fact that a Noongar might refer to any relative of the same generation and class as themselves as their brother or sister; similarly, any older woman of the same class as themselves could be referred to as their mother.
Noongar
The Noongar are an indigenous Australian people who live in the south-west corner of Western Australia from Geraldton on the west coast to Esperance on the south coast...
, an indigenous Australian people, enforced restrictions on intermarriage
Interracial marriage
Interracial marriage occurs when two people of differing racial groups marry. This is a form of exogamy and can be seen in the broader context of miscegenation .-Legality of interracial marriage:In the Western world certain jurisdictions have had regulations...
.
The Western Australia an atlas of human endeavour
Western Australia an atlas of human endeavour
Western Australia - an atlas of human endeavour was an atlas published at the time of WAY '79 by the Board of Management of Way 79, and it had a foreword by Charles Court who was personally involved in a number of the projects that were conducted by the organisation.It was an atlas that included...
divides Noongar classification systems into four types:
"Perth" type
- Matrilineal moieties and matrilineal clanClanA clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clan members may be organized around a founding member or apical ancestor. The kinship-based bonds may be symbolical, whereby the clan shares a "stipulated" common ancestor that is a...
s - Includes Amangu, Yued, WadjukWhadjukWhadjuk, also called Wadjuk, Whajook and Wadjug, is the name according to Norman Tindale for the Aboriginal group inhabiting the Western Australian region of the Perth bioregion of the Swan Coastal Plain, and extending below Walyunga into the surrounding Jarrah Forests...
, PinjarebPindjarupThe Binjareb, Pindjarup or Pinjareb is the name of the Indigenous Australian group of Noongar speakers, living in the region of Southwest, Western Australia between Port Kennedy on the coast, between Rockingham and Mandurah to Australind on the Leschenault Inlet, and between a point between Byford...
, Wilmen, Ganeang, and Wardandi.
These groups were split between the (White Cockatoo) Manitjmat and (Australian Raven) Wardungmat moieties with the moiety determined by one's mother. Both groups are exogamous
Exogamy
Exogamy is a social arrangement where marriage is allowed only outside of a social group. The social groups define the scope and extent of exogamy, and the rules and enforcement mechanisms that ensure its continuity. In social studies, exogamy is viewed as a combination of two related aspects:...
"Bibelmen" type
- Patrilineal moieties and patrilineal local descent groups
- Includes Bibelmen and Mineng
These groups used the same Manitjmat and Wardunmat moieties but descent here was determined patrilineally.
"Nyakinyaki" type
- They had section levels similar to the Western Desert types, both patrilineal local descent groups
- Includes Balardong and Nyakinyaki
These groups used (Bee-eater) Birranga and (Sacred Kingfisher) Djuak as the "skin" groups.
"Wudjari" Type
- Like the Nyakinyaki, but they had named patrilineal "totemic"TotemismTotemism is a system of belief in which humans are said to have kinship or a mystical relationship with a spirit-being, such as an animal or plant...
descent units. - Includes Goreng and Wudjari
Terminology
local descent groups are generally patrilineal in type, in which members are linked by both descent and through mythological ties to a named ancestor. Local descent groups are always exogamous, and are associated with specific territories held collectively in trust in perpetuity.
totemic descent groups are similar although the mythical significance of the species after whom the descent group is named is much stronger, and figures much more significantly in the myths of the people involved. Members in this case may not be genealogically related, and these groups are almost always exogamous.
- in patrilineal totemic descent clans: territory is always important
- in matrilineal totemic descent groups: territory is less important as women frequently shift from their matrilieal areas.
"moieties" classify everyone in the world into two mutually exclusive categories, which are always exogamous. Moieties may be either patrilineal or matrilineal (determined by the moiety of the father or the mother).
alternate generation levels classify a person in the same generation level with grandparents and grandchildren. Parents and children would also share the same generation level. In alternate generation levels, marriage is endogamous.
"sectional" systems (often called skin) are usually where a person belongs to one of four named groups always from birth (although "skin' may be confirred to outsiders as adults). These groups are always exogamous.
Daisy Bates
Daisy Bates (Australia)
Daisy May Bates, CBE was an Irish Australian journalist, welfare worker and lifelong student of Australian Aboriginal culture and society. She was known among the native people as 'Kabbarli' .-Early life:...
stated that under the system, each Noongar was placed in same class as their mother, and no Noongar was permitted to marry someone of the same class as themselves. The classes were:
- Ballaroke
- Tdondarup
- Ngotak
- Nagarnook
- Nogonyuk
- Mongalung
- Narrangur
Early observers of Noongar culture were sometimes confused by aspects of this system. George Grey incorrectly referred to the class names as family name
Family name
A family name is a type of surname and part of a person's name indicating the family to which the person belongs. The use of family names is widespread in cultures around the world...
s, for example. Some confusion was also caused by the fact that a Noongar might refer to any relative of the same generation and class as themselves as their brother or sister; similarly, any older woman of the same class as themselves could be referred to as their mother.