Corrobory

There can be little doubt that the corrobory is the medium through which the delights of poetry are enjoyed, in a limited degree, even by these primitive savages of New Holland. ❋ Thomas Mitchell (1823)

This curvilinear mode of marching was noticed by Labillardière: they probably assembled for a corrobory. ❋ John West (1840)

These natives proposed to amuse us with a corrobory dance, to which I did not object, but they postponed it until the following evening. ❋ Thomas Mitchell (1823)

When I found we could obtain no more information I presented the most intelligent of them with a tomahawk, on which they went slowly away, repeatedly turning round towards us and saying something which, according to Piper, had reference to their tribe coming again and dancing a corrobory, a proposal these savage tribes often make and which the traveller who knows them well will think it better to discourage. ❋ Thomas Mitchell (1823)

In the evening the blacks, having assembled in some numbers, entertained us with a corrobory, their universal and highly original dance. ❋ Thomas Mitchell (1823)

Like all the rest of the habits and customs of this singular race of wild men, the corrobory is peculiar and, from its uniformity on every shore, a very striking feature in their character. ❋ Thomas Mitchell (1823)

They hailed us afterwards from the wood at a little distance where they made fires, saying they were preparing to corrobory and inviting us to be present. ❋ Thomas Mitchell (1823)

The contrast between it and that from which we had emerged was obvious to all; even to the natives who for the first time painted themselves in the evening and danced a spirited corrobory on the occasion. ❋ Thomas Mitchell (1823)

Darling tribe from the other had danced a corrobory with them about six weeks before, and promised to return in one moon. ❋ Thomas Mitchell (1823)

Each dance seems most tastefully progressive; the movement being at first slow, and introduced by two persons displaying graceful motions both of arms and legs, others one by one join in, each imperceptibly warming into the truly savage attitude of the corrobory jump; the legs then stride to the utmost, the head is turned over one shoulder, the eyes glare and are fixed with savage energy all in one direction, the arms also are raised and inclined towards the head, the hands usually grasping waddies, boomerangs, or other warlike weapons. ❋ Thomas Mitchell (1823)

She stated that after we left our late encampment a numerous tribe arrived on the opposite bank of the river and, seeing the fires on her side, called out very angrily, as Piper translated her tale, "murry coola" (very angry); inquiring who had made those fires, and that, receiving no reply (for she was afraid and had hid herself) they danced a corrobory in a furious style during which she and the child crept away, and had passed two nights without fire and in the rain. ❋ Thomas Mitchell (1823)

And, while tears flowed at the recital of woe, a corrobory of pleasant laughter closed the eventful day. " ❋ Mark Twain (1872)