Thread: URGENT. Get PAID to drive a 4x4 across the Tanami

Originally Posted by bob10

I'm really interested to know what the term 'skin group' means . I have heard it discussed by aboriginal people in Darwin, years ago. My take on it was a sub group within a tribal group, for which' intermarriage', for want of a better word, was restricted. If so, this in itself suggests a sophistication not normally accepted by early Europeans, for indigenous Australians. Bob

Everybody gets a "skin name" and that then defines their relationship with everyone else, as in whether they're a mother-type figure or right or wrong to marry or whatever else. We were given ours when we got here and I thought it was a great honour but now I think it's just a way to organise people. The old lady who gave us ours is a famous artist and very cheeky and a while ago after I was talking to another white woman she came up to me and said, "She right one for you," giggling away. Like I need another wife. Geez.

Around here they still have a very complicated social structure and you just get used to the massive size of families and their intricate relationships, which I quite like compared to my various relatives and inlaws who just ignore everyone else.

Originally Posted by bob10

Something to think about Bob


Oscar Wilde > Quotes > Quotable Quote

“Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.”


― Oscar Wilde

you know he was being sarcastic when he said that

Originally Posted by Eevo

you know he was being sarcastic when he said that

Good one, Bob

I love how skin names for white fellas can cause fights. In one community an old lady had given my sister a skin name that allowed my sister to be her daughter. When I turned up, I already had a skin name due to my sisters skin name, but another old lady in the community started to carry on that my sister had the wrong skin name. Turns out she couldn't have jiggy jiggy with me because I was her brother, and that wasn't good at all........ apparently. Certainly saved the day for me, but the heated and physical argument was entertaining.

Rick

That's a funny story. The intricacies are mostly beyond me, but I do like how it's carried on and how it's still important.