fire-stick

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


name given to thelighted stick which the Australian natives frequently carryabout, when moving from camp to camp, so as to be able to lighta fire always without the necessity of producing it byfriction. The fire-stick may be carried in a smoulderingcondition for long distances, and when traversing open grasscountry, such as the porcupine-grass covered districts of theinterior, the stick is used for setting fire to the grass,partly to destroy this and partly to drive out the game whichis hiding amongst it. The fire-stick (see quotations)is also used as emblematic of the camp-fire in certainceremonies.

1847. J. D. Lang,' Cooksland,'p. 126, n.:

«When their fire-stick has been extinguished, as is sometimesthe case, for their jins or vestal virgins, who have charge ofthe fire, are not always sufficiently vigilant.»

1896. F. J. Gillen, `Horne Expedition in Central Australia,'Anthropology, pt. iv. p. 170:

«Carrying fire-sticks, they place rings, woven of fur andvegetable down, round the boy's neck and arms and sometimesover and under the shoulders; the fire-sticks are then handedto him, the lubras saying: Take care of the fire; keep to yourown camp.'»

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