Hunter's journal observations (text version)

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Instructions to read extracts from the 1787 journals of John Hunter recording impressions of the Indigenous people

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We saw them in very considerable numbers and they appeared to us to be a lively and inquisitive race. They are a straight, thin, but well made people - rather small in their limbs but very active.

Extract 1: Hunter's journal

Transcript of audio file: We saw them in very considerable numbers and they appeared to us to be a lively and inquisitive race. They are a straight, thin, but well made people - rather small in their limbs but very active.

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we Observ`d at a distance a Number of their Women, who were peeping from their Concealments, but durst not gratify their Natural Curiosity by appearing before & Conversing with us, for the Men appear here to be very absolute, I Signified to the Men that we had observ`d the Women, & that I wish`d to make them some presents if they might be permitted to Come forward & receive them, the Men seem`d unwilling to suffer them to advance, for we had generally observ`d that they took particular Care upon every occasion to keep the Ladies at a distance, & I believe wholly from an Idea of danger, they desird to have the presents intended for the Women & they woud Carry & deliver them, but to this proposal I positively refus`d to agree, and made them understand, that unless they were allow’d to come forward they shou`d not have any, finding I was determin`d, an old man who seem`d to have the principal Authority, directed the Women to advance, which they did immediately, with much good humour, and during the whole time that we were decorating them with Beads, rags of white linnen & some other trifles Trifles, they laugh`d immoderately altho` trembling at the same time from an Idea of danger.

Extract 2: Hunter's Journal

Transcript of audio file: We observed at a distance a number of their women, who were peeping from their concealments, but durst not gratify their natural curiosity by appearing before and conversing with us for the men appear here to be very absolute. I signified to the men that we had observed the women, and that I wished to make them some presents if they might be permitted to come forward and receive them. The men seemed unwilling to suffer them to advance, for we had generally observed that they took particular care upon every occasion to keep the ladies at a distance, and I believe wholly from an idea of danger.

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Twenty men whom we had not before seen, sallied forth from the wood completely armed with lance and shield, and were painted with red and white streaks all over the face and body, as if intended to strike terror by their appearance.

Extract 3: Hunter's Journal

Transcript of audio file: Twenty men whom we had not before seen, sallied forth from the wood completely armed with lance and shield, and were painted with red and white streaks all over the face and body, as if intended to strike terror by their appearance.

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The men in general are from 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 9 high, are thin but very straight and clean made, walk very erect and are active. The Women are not so tall nor so thin, but are generally well made; their Colour is a rusty kind of Black something like that of Soot, but I have seen many of the Women almost as light as a Mulatto, We have seen a few of both sexes with tolerable good features, but in general they have broad noses & thick lips, & their Countenance altogether not very prepossessing

Extract 4: Hunter's Journal

Transcript of audio file: The men in general are from 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 9 high, are thin but very straight and clean made, walk very erect and are active. The women are not so tall nor so thin, but are generally well made. Their Colour is a rusty kind of black something like that of soot, but I have seen many of the women almost as light as a Mulatto. We have seen a few of both sexes with tolerable good features, but in general they have broad noses and thick lips, and their countenance altogether not very prepossessing.

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They have very good teeth in general, their hair is short, strong and curly, but they seem to have no Method of Cleaning or Combing it, it is therefore filthy & matted – the Men Women & Children go intirely Naked as described by Captain Cook

Extract 5: Hunter's Journal

Transcript of audio file: They have very good teeth in general. Their hair is short, strong and curly, but they seem to have no method of cleaning or combing it. It is therefore filthy and matted. The men wear their beards which are short and curly like the hair of the head. The men, women and children go entirely naked as described by Captain Cook.