Nar-dha |	Acknowledgment |	Bora Ring |	Men's & Women's Business |	Places of Interest

The Bora Ring at Nar-dha

The Bora Ring (boorl or buhl) was highly significant in the daily and spiritual lives of Aboriginal people. These sacred places were constructed only in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. They were generally out of bounds for uninitiated males, women and children. Women had their own initiation/ceremonial areas, which were prohibited to adult males.

A bora ground consisted of a large ring about six to eight metres across surrounding by a low earth mound. A long pathway connected it to other rings where initiation ceremonies took place. During initiation, boys were isolated from contact with women and were instructed about the Dreaming and traditional laws and customs.

At the initiation (kippa) ring, the great Elders (turrawan) of the tribe welcomed the initiates and performed the various ceremonies. It is not customary for the procedures of the bora ceremony to be discussed, least of all by women on men's business. The Bora ring at Nar-dha was utilised by men.

During initiation process, male Elders would scrutinise each boy for signs indicating special talents or powers. Any boy showing such signs would be encouraged to proceed to the next level of initiation. Following their ceremony, initiates gradually assumed the rights and responsibilities men have towards the safety and well being of their families and kinship groups.