Clarence Long series (SA) 1937-38

Supplementary to: 'Journal of Researches in the South East of S. Australia by Norman B. Tindale, Volume II, 1934-38', AA 338/1/33/2

This item consists of Norman B Tindale's recordings of Aboriginal songs from the South-East of South Australia during 1937-38. The recorded material, relating primarily to Tanganekald, Bunganditj, Tatiara, Marditjali, Warki, and Ramindjeri 'tribes', was provided by the Tanganekald man Clarence Long (Milerum). Tindale's published paper, 'Native Songs of the South-East of South Australia, Part II', Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, Vol.65, (2), 1941, pp. 233-243, provides details on the context of performance, transcriptions of the songs, and other useful contextual background.

Tindale writes that 'six double-sided discs were prepared between November, 1937, and January, 1938', adding that they contain songs associated with '1, sickness and death; 2, hunting; 3, mythological and totemic stories; 4, magic; 5, personal experiences and adventures; 6, drama' (p. 233). In addition to the 6 double-sided master discs mentioned by Tindale, he also produced 6 working copies and a final disc that was partially only recorded (and is referred to as a 'defective master'). The two reel to reel magnetic tapes included in this item are also working copies of the original disc recordings. Note that the audition CD-ROM associated with this item contains 29 tracks of songs as listed in the master disc contents list given below.

For further information see AA 338/1/33/2, 'Journal of Researches in the South East of S. Australia by Norman B. Tindale, Volume II, 1934-38', pp. 104-135 & 239-70; Tindale's published paper (listed above) and the S. A. Museum Speech and Sound Collections register entries AS 368-392.

The following list, the first of two, identifies the master discs, working discs, and magnetic tapes. The second lists the song contents of each of the 6 master discs.

Master discs:

  • 'Songs by Milerum (Clarence Long)', 9 Nov 1937, songs 1-4

  • 'Disc 2, Nov 22nd 1937'

  • 'Disc 3, Nov 30th 1937'

  • 'Clarence Long Series Record 4'

  • 'Clarence Long Series Dec 1st 1937, Record 5'

  • 'Clarence Long Series, Record no.6'



Working copies:
  • Working copies of NB Tindale's Clarence Long Series, 10 Nov 1937, 1-4

  • 'Disc 2 Nov 22nd 1937 copy'

  • 'Nov 30th 1937 Disc No 3 copy'

  • 'Clarence Long Series Record 4 copy'

  • 'Clarence Long Series Dec 1st 1937 Record 5 copy'

  • 'Clarence Long Series Record No.6 copy'



Defective master:
  • 'Clarence Long Dream Time Song (abandoned as broke down); one side only'



Magnetic tapes:
  • Reel 2 of N. B. Tindale's 1937 recordings of Milerum (Clarence Long) of the Tanganekald tribe. Working copy of original disc recordings, 1 x 5 inch reel

  • Reel 3 of N. B. Tindale's 1937 recordings of Milerum (Clarence Long) of the Tanganekald tribe. Working copy of original disc recordings, 1 x 5 inch reel



According to Tindale's South East of S. Australia journal (Vol.II, pp. 104-135 & 239-70) and the published article mentioned above, the master discs contain the following songs:

AA 338/11/12/
Disc 1
  • A dream song
    [Track 1. Tape No. 9580; TT32; Disc 1; Song 1; AS368]

  • Song about death
    [Track 2. Tape No. 9580; TT32; Disc 1; Song 2; AS369]

  • Song of Murray Bridge
    [Track 3. Tape No. 9580; TT32; Disc 1; Song 3; AS370]

  • Song of Njengari
    [Track 4. Tape No. 9580; TT32; Disc 1; Song 4; AS371]



Disc 2
  • Storm song
    [Track 8. Tape No. 9580; TT32; Disc 2; Song 8&9; AS372]

  • Mimikur or Bullroarer song
    [Track 9. Tape No. 9580; TT32; Disc 2; Song 10; AS373]

  • Tanganekald death fear song
    [Track 5. Tape No. 9580; TT32; Disc 2; Song 5; AS374]

  • Song to force a widow to remarry
    [Track 6. Tape No. 9580; TT32; Disc 2; Song 6; AS375]

  • Tanganekald growling song
    [Track 7. Tape No. 9580; TT32; Disc 2; Song 7; AS376]



Disc 3
  • Tanganekald song about Ngurunderi
    [Track 10. Tape No. 9580; TT32; Disc 3; Song 11; AS377]

  • Tatiara song condemning the Tanganekald
    [Track 11. Tape No. 9580B; TT32; Disc 3; Song 12; AS378]

  • Meintangk answer to the Tatiara song
    [Track 12. Tape No. 9580B; TT32; Disc 4; Song 13; AS379]

  • Tanganekald song which embittered the quarrel
    [Track 13. Tape No. 9580B; TT32; Disc 4; Song 14&15; AS380]



Disc 4
  • Song of Guichen Bay
    [Track 17. Tape No. 9580B; TT32; Disc 4; Song 19; AS381]

  • Song of Baudin Rocks
    [Track 18. Tape No. 9580B; TT32; Disc 4; Song 20; AS382]

  • A Bunganditj Mimikur (or Bullroarer) song from Mount Gambier
    [Track 19. Tape No. 9580B; TT32; Disc 4; Song 21; AS383]

  • A Bunganditj hunter's song from Millicent
    [Track 14. Tape No. 9580B; TT32; Disc 4; Song 16; AS384]

  • Bunganditj dancing song from Millicent
    [Track 15. Tape No. 9580B; TT32; Disc 4; Song 17; AS385]

  • Bunganditj Emu song from Mount Benson
    [Track 16. Tape No. 9580B; TT32; Disc 4; Song 18; AS386]



Disc 5
  • A second Bunganditj Emu song called Kupabina, from Biscuit Flat
    [Track 20. Tape No. 9581; TT33; Disc 5A; Song 1; AS387]

  • A third Bunganditj Emu song, Wirawiruk
    [Track 21. Tape No. 9581; TT33; Disc 5A; Song 2; AS388]

  • Marditjali tribe song of Wanangan, from Wirriga
    [Track 22. Tape No. 9581; TT33; Disc 5A; Song 3; AS389]

  • Challenge song of the Pot-Bellied Dwarf, Banguni
    [Track 23. Tape No. 9581; TT33; Disc 5B; Song 5; AS390]

  • Keinindjeri asks for his brother's widow .. a Ramindjeri song from Encounter Bay
    [Track 24. Tape No. 9581; TT33; Disc 5B; Song 6; AS391]

  • Song of the Swallow, Watiari and the Ring-Tailed Mouse, Lepidawi
    [Track 25. Tape No. 9581; TT33; Disc 5B; Song 7; AS392]



Disc 6
  • 3 Crow Man Maraŋane songs
    [Track 26. Tape No. 9581; TT33; Disc 6A; Song 8-10]

  • Tanganekald song ridiculing old men who refused to lend their fish nets
    [Track 27. Tape No. 9581; TT33; Disc 6B; Song 11]

  • Keinindjeri is deserted by his brother's widow, a Ramindjeri song from Encounter Bay
    [Track 28. Tape No. 9581; TT33; Disc 6B; Song 12]

  • song about the first landing of White men at Patawalja:nk or Glenelg, SA
    [Track 29. Tape No. 9581; TT33; Disc 6B; Song 13]

  • 'Clarence Long Dream Time Song (abandoned as broke down); one side only'
    [Track 30. Refers to TT34]



Tindale Tribes: Tanganekald; Bunganditj; Potaruwutj; Marditjali; Warki; Ramindjeri.

CreatorDr Norman Barnett Tindale
ControlAA 338/11/12/Tracks 1-30
Date Range1937  -  1938
Quantity   13   x 12 inch acetate discs; 2 x 5 inch magnetic tapes, 1 access CD
Series AA338/11