Item #127936 A collection of ten letters sent to T.G.H. Strehlow, mainly from the Finke River Mission at Hermannsburg in 1957-58; four are from the mission superintendent Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht, one is from his son Paul, and five - written in Western Aranda (Arrernte) - are from local elders. T. G. H. STREHLOW.
A collection of ten letters sent to T.G.H. Strehlow, mainly from the Finke River Mission at Hermannsburg in 1957-58; four are from the mission superintendent Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht, one is from his son Paul, and five - written in Western Aranda (Arrernte) - are from local elders
A collection of ten letters sent to T.G.H. Strehlow, mainly from the Finke River Mission at Hermannsburg in 1957-58; four are from the mission superintendent Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht, one is from his son Paul, and five - written in Western Aranda (Arrernte) - are from local elders
A collection of ten letters sent to T.G.H. Strehlow, mainly from the Finke River Mission at Hermannsburg in 1957-58; four are from the mission superintendent Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht, one is from his son Paul, and five - written in Western Aranda (Arrernte) - are from local elders
A collection of ten letters sent to T.G.H. Strehlow, mainly from the Finke River Mission at Hermannsburg in 1957-58; four are from the mission superintendent Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht, one is from his son Paul, and five - written in Western Aranda (Arrernte) - are from local elders
A collection of ten letters sent to T.G.H. Strehlow, mainly from the Finke River Mission at Hermannsburg in 1957-58; four are from the mission superintendent Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht, one is from his son Paul, and five - written in Western Aranda (Arrernte) - are from local elders
A collection of ten letters sent to T.G.H. Strehlow, mainly from the Finke River Mission at Hermannsburg in 1957-58; four are from the mission superintendent Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht, one is from his son Paul, and five - written in Western Aranda (Arrernte) - are from local elders
A collection of ten letters sent to T.G.H. Strehlow, mainly from the Finke River Mission at Hermannsburg in 1957-58; four are from the mission superintendent Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht, one is from his son Paul, and five - written in Western Aranda (Arrernte) - are from local elders
A collection of ten letters sent to T.G.H. Strehlow, mainly from the Finke River Mission at Hermannsburg in 1957-58; four are from the mission superintendent Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht, one is from his son Paul, and five - written in Western Aranda (Arrernte) - are from local elders
A collection of ten letters sent to T.G.H. Strehlow, mainly from the Finke River Mission at Hermannsburg in 1957-58; four are from the mission superintendent Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht, one is from his son Paul, and five - written in Western Aranda (Arrernte) - are from local elders

A collection of ten letters sent to T.G.H. Strehlow, mainly from the Finke River Mission at Hermannsburg in 1957-58; four are from the mission superintendent Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht, one is from his son Paul, and five - written in Western Aranda (Arrernte) - are from local elders

Quarto (six leaves) and octavo (10 leaves), all written or typed on rectos only; all sheets have holes punched for filing in the left-hand margins (some with minimal loss to the text); four quarto leaves have minor creases and chips to the left-hand edge; overall, in excellent condition.

A poignant correspondence relating to the Aranda (Arrernte) of Central Australia, involving two significant figures in the history of Hermannsburg. Theodor George Henry (Ted) Strehlow (1908-1978), the eminent Australian linguist, was born at Hermannsburg, where his father, Pastor Carl Strehlow (1871-1922), was superintendent. He was replaced in 1927 by Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht (1894-1984). He in turn was succeeded as field superintendent in 1963 by his son Pastor Paul Albrecht, who held the position until 1983. The four letters from Pastor Albrecht are on the letterhead of the Finke River Mission, Hermannsburg.

(1) A typed letter signed by F.W. Albrecht (one page quarto, 27 December 1957): Albrecht has travelled to Mary Vale to consult elders on Strehlow's behalf regarding a local legend or story. 'However, about one thing they all seemed to be agreed, and that was about the evening star. "Big Allan" a close relative to Lame Mick, thought it was definitely another evening star, called "Ljeatja". I told him what Makarinja had told you. Then he thought for a while and said: it might have been a daughter of the original Annamilja. However, what seemed to be certain was that the evening star was meant in both instances, at Iloata and Alknewukala'. Albrecht has distributed Strehlow's Christmas gifts 'according to your instructions. Many have even come back especially asking me to write to you and say "thank you very much".... There is something very tender and sweet in the expressions of these old folks, something quite inimitable and charming'. Some money couldn't be distributed 'because the men are away, especially from Jay Creek, as since the Influenza deaths they have scattered so much. I don't know whether I told you that old Jeramba died, also Charlie, the brother of Moses, and Arthur's wife'.

(2) A typed letter signed by F.W. Albrecht (one page quarto, 14 February 1958): Albrecht mentions problems caused by alcohol available at Finke Siding: 'Unfortunately, the Hotel there, with the many white drunks, is not in their interest, especially with this new Ordinance in force that has tied the hands of the Police so much that action is taken only under extreme circumstances otherwise they are just left to do and carry on as they like, which is at times abominable. In their old natural life they have never known to restrain themselves in such matters, and now just cannot see why they should do it. And then they see the white people indulging in drink without any self control, and then think it is the correct way of life'. Many grateful thoughts go to Strehlow for his 'widely used' Aranda New Testament.

Accompanying this letter are five letters in Western Aranda, basically making good on the sentiments expressed in Albrecht's first letter. They are letters of thanks to Strehlow for his thoughtful Christmas gifts: each one is two leaves octavo, written on the rectos only. Three of them, dated 15 February 1958, are in ballpoint pen in the same (unidentified) scribe's hand; the other two, undated but presumably from around the same time, are written in pencil by the sender. A full translation of all ten pages accompanies the original letters: we are indebted to David Moore for his professional assistance. All five letters express thanks for the gift, report on the weather and states of health, enquire after the health of Strehlow and his family, and contain other routine pleasantries and courtesies. However, more interesting and somewhat stronger observations are made in several letters, as noted below in translation.

(3) A manuscript letter written for, and signed by, Tom Tungala: 'We always remember you, your real friends at Jay Creek. There are only a few of us Aranda men. There are many Luritja people. We have lost a lot of elders from here, the real traditional owners. I am talking about them'.

(4) A manuscript letter written for Amos: 'A few people in this place have died. They are not around any more. You remember your very good friend Mr Authur [Arthur]. He has lost his wife. Another one of your dear friends Mr Charle Mametog [sic] has also just died. A few people at Jay Creek have died'.

(5) An autograph letter signed by Rolf (possibly the same Rolf who was Strehlow's tracker during his days as a patrol officer): 'My friend and relative I am Rolf. When I went away I was not well. It was just a headache and still have it today. I am getting elderly. I'm getting a little bit better'.

(6) An autograph letter signed by Authur [Arthur], Jay Creek: 'We have lost a few people here through illness. Maybe it was through a serious illness that we lost them. After that I am going to tell you more. There are only a few Aranda people here. There are more Pitjantjatjara people here than Aranda'.

(7) A manuscript letter written for George Esrom: 'There are not many Aranda people here in this place. There is just a small group of Aranda. There are Luritja people, from a different language group. They are here at Jay Creek in great numbers. They have a different Altjira [Dreaming]. They are swallowing up the Aranda people now so that they can be greater than the Aranda'.

(8) An autograph letter signed by F.W. Albrecht (one page quarto, blank bottom portion removed before sending, 7 April 1958): 'I took all the letters to the Jay yesterday. Needless to say, the big happy smile from each of them was a better expression of thanks than words could have been. These old people especially have an atmosphere about them'.

(9) A typed letter signed by F.W. Albrecht (one page quarto, 16 June 1958): Albrecht answers some queries relating to Strehlow's impending trip to Central Australia. 'I have started to spread the news of your coming, and I hope it works. There are some men away, especially at Finke Siding, a real pesthole these days, after liquor is being sold at the place. However, since some Natives are travelling up and down nearly all the time, I hope old Kneitnama especially will come to know about it and travel up to Alice Springs'.

(10) An autograph letter signed by Paul Albrecht (two leaves quarto, written on the rectos only, Haasts Bluff, 10 February 1958): 'You may know by now that old Epafras has died. The Sisters say that he died of pneumonia and a slight stroke. However, before he took ill, and passed away, he asked me to be his scribe, and write you a letter of thanks for the Christmas gift he received from you. At the time of his asking I was rather busy ... and did not get to it. So even at this belated date' he mentions it. He has another matter to discuss: 'Alwin, Epafras and I made a translation of the Book' of Amos in Aranda (not present), and he asks Strehlow to 'give me your criticisms. It is the first time I have done anything of that nature. Another thing, I do not know much Aranda grammar, and even less of spelling, and so go by ear alone. I would like to know how true my ear is'.

These letters come from the residual archive of Theodor George Henry (Ted) Strehlow (1908-1978), the eminent Australian linguist, with a strong connection to the languages and people of Central Australia. We have the appropriate government approval to dispose of this material, but we have given up trying to place it, as a whole, in any Australian institution. The archive contains thousands of documents, especially in the fields of anthropology, linguistics, and music (with an emphasis on Indigenous Australia). Many of them are of strong intrinsic value on their own, but we believe the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, and that, ideally, the archive should remain intact. Enquiries from any interested parties as to how this may be achieved are most welcome. [10 items].

Item #127936

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