[778] Mathew, p. 162. Compare also Lumholtz, _loc. cit._, p. 192.
"Il est défendu a un Australien ... de se marier avant au moins vingt-huit à trente ans, et la mort est le châtiment de tout infracteur de la loi."[779]
[779] Salvado, p. 277; natives of South West Australia.
In the tribes of King George Sound the old men seem partly to monopolize the young females.[780]
[780] Scott Nind, _loc. cit._, pp. 38, 39.
As we have mentioned above, boys leave their parents' camp to undergo the initiation ceremonies. These latter seem to obtain in all tribes, with a few insignificant exceptions such as the Bidwelli mentioned by Howitt. This is a quite well-known fact. But what is their mode of living during this, in some tribes, rather prolonged period and afterwards, before they marry? They do not live in their parents' camp; and they have not yet their individual settlement. They appear in the great majority of cases to club together, have their own encampment, roam and hunt on their own account, and in general to live a life apart.
_Statements._--Howitt, speaking of the camping rules among the Kurnai, says that a "'brogan' (a man initiated at the same time, a comrade, or tribal brother, see _Nat. Tr._, p. 737), although calling the man's wife 'wife' and she calling him 'husband,' would have to camp with the young men, if any were there, or else by himself."[781] And again: "The young men (brewit) and the married men who have not their wives with them, always encamp together at some distance from the camps of the married men."[782] "The young man, or brewit, after his initiation, may be said to have commenced a life independent, to some extent, of his parents."[783] "He lived with the other young men, and with those who were initiated with him, and accordingly his brothers."[784]
[783] _Kam. and Kurn._, p. 199, and _Nat. Tr._, p. 737.
We read of the Wolgal tribe: "A married man would never stay in the young men's camp when travelling, unless he were without his wife, when he would be considered as being single. The married people and the single young men camp entirely apart."[785] Howitt mentions further the young men's camp in connection with animal food division amongst the Ngarigo (Maneroo blacks).[786] That the bachelors' camp was a rule is confirmed by Howitt's statement that amongst the Mukjarawaint there was no young men's camp.[787] The unmarried men seem to have lived with their grandparents.[788]