Aboriginal “corroboree” and ritualised sporting fight

At a pre-arranged Aboriginal “corroboree” and ritualised sporting fight attended by around 100 m1843. men, women and children near Maitland to coincide with the settlers’ horse racing contest, one participant who had acquired a musket without sufficient skill in its use, shot an opponent dead by mistake. The two teams ceased their contest and left the ground. The opposing teams were identified as Wannungine/Wannerawa and Darkinung from the south side of the Hunter River and the Kattung-speaking Aborigines from the north side. (Ford p446-47).