The Legend of Kupirri, or, The Red Kangaroo by W. A. Cawthorne

"The Legend of Kupirri, or, The Red Kangaroo" by W. A. Cawthorne is a narrative rooted in Aboriginal oral tradition, likely written in the mid-19th century. This tale reflects the myths of the Port Lincoln tribe and recounts the story of a ferocious kangaroo, Kupirri, and the heroic efforts of two hunters, Pilla and Inda, to defeat it. The book is a blend of folklore and cultural history, capturing themes of bravery, revenge, and transformation. The storyline centers on the immense kangaroo, Kupirri, which has terrorized the tribe by devouring its members. When two skilled hunters, Pilla and Inda, arise to confront this monstrous foe, their initial attempts fail, leading to conflict between them. Ultimately, they reconcile and, through teamwork, manage to vanquish Kupirri, discovering the bodies of their comrades inside it. Miraculously, they revive their fallen friends using their magical knowledge. Following this triumph, Pilla and Inda are transformed into the Native Cat and the Oppossum, respectively, symbolizing their lasting legacy within the tribe and the natural world. The tale captures a rich tapestry of Aboriginal life, beliefs, and the significance of oral storytelling. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Download for free

For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.

Other formats & older devices
168 kB
154 kB

There may be more files related to this item.

About this eBook

Author Cawthorne, W. A. (William Alexander), 1825-1897
Title The Legend of Kupirri, or, The Red Kangaroo
An Aboriginal Tradition of the Port Lincoln Tribe
Credits Produced by Chuck Greif & The Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from scans of public domain works at The National
Library of Australia.)
Reading Level Reading ease score: 71.8 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
Subject Aboriginal Australians -- Folklore -- Poetry
Category Text
eBook-No. 56284
Release Date
Last Update Oct 23, 2024
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
Downloads 326 downloads in the last 30 days.

Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!