Wights Mountain has one of the best preserved Aboriginal Ceremonial Bora Grounds in our area.
I didn’t have a wide-angled camera, so I had to stitch the photos together. Can you make out the raised ring of earth?
The Bora Grounds consisted of one large ring in which important tribal ceremonies were conducted, and a second secret ring where young initiates were taken to learn “mens business”. The two rings are connected by a sacred pathway approximately 400m long.
As I stood by the large ring, I imagined what it would have been like to stand here hundreds of years ago in the firelight as the tribe sang their songs, and young boys became men – learning secrets handed down for generations.
I felt a sense of loss.
European history is almost clinical. It has been chronicled in books for centuries for anyone to read. Aboriginal history is different. To learn it you needed to have a relationship to the person telling it to you, and a personal commitment to the community. We’ll never know many of the stories and secrets told here – they died with the story tellers.
I’ve only photographed the larger ring. I didn’t think it was respectful to photograph the smaller ring. If you want to see that, you’ll need to go to Wights Mountain yourself!
Here’s a diorama at the Samford Historical Museum depicting how the Bora Ring would have been used by the local Aboriginal people.
There are several Marked Trees at the Bora Grounds. One of these is obviously a Government Survey Tree (marked with an “R” and a number). I’m not sure whether the other trees are survey trees, or have been “marked” by Aborigines to signify the importance of the site. I’ll update the information when I find out.
Total climbing: 1340 m
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Facintating, thanks for educating me. Love it. Do you also have pics of the Sampson Vale bora ring? There’s a great bora ring near Beewah too, love to go there. For some reason I am always compelled to clap my hands and sing out, introducing myself.
G’day Patty 🙂
Thanks for the comments.
I did visit the Samsonvale Ring (http://blog.neilennis.com/index.php/samsonvale-railway/)
Actually, the first time I visited I misread J.G.Steele’s comments and was looking in the wrong spot, so I had to ride back a second time. There’s a couple of photos there, but I’ll need to go back and get a better wide-angled one.
BTW You’re doing the right thing clapping your hands and singing out. I’ve read that when approaching an Aboriginal camp you were supposed to call out and let everyone know you were coming. It was bad manners to approach quietly.
Where abouts is the Beerwah ring?
Hi, just reading your comments on the Samford Bora rings. Many thanks, I’ve been trying to find them for years! The Beerwah one is on Johnstone rd.
If coming from the Bruce Highway, left on Johnstone follow about 1-2 kms, & 200 mtres BEFORE Crittendon rd, on your right is a dirt road with a low green national parks sign saying “Bora ring”. (Pine forest on right, cultivation/pineapples on left) Follow about 700 mts round bend, then walk in on left on small path. There is also a great one at Nudgee Waterholes in Brisbane, park in the Nudgee waterholes carpark & picnic area/playground & follow signs along boardwalk about 500 m.
(Beerwah:) http://maps.google.com.au/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&q=Johnstone+Rd+Beerwah+map&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x6b938e6f301024d1:0x3bafb6de16e3c197,Johnston+Rd,+Glass+House+Mountains+QLD+4518&gl=au&ei=oMrFT6GpEuG5iQel8IXnAg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAsQ8gEwAA
There are also axe/ tool grinding holes worn in the rocks on Little Rocky Creek, in the Scout den land, on Old Gympie Rd, Landsborough, Off Steve Irwin way, (at the end), turn left into Maleny st / (Landsborough Maleny rd to go up the hill,) but at
Roundabout, turn left into Gympie St South. Immediately Over Little Rocky Ck bridge, entry (dirt drive) on right is entry to Scout Den, & the grinding holes are in the creek at the grounds. (You can also come UP old Gympie Rd, Left from highway at Mobil, then turn right at Beerwah Primary onto Old Gymie Rd.)
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&q=Johnstone+Rd+Beerwah+map&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x6b938e6f301024d1:0x3bafb6de16e3c197,Johnston+Rd,+Glass+House+Mountains+QLD+4518&gl=au&ei=oMrFT6GpEuG5iQel8IXnAg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAsQ8gEwAA
G’day Deb
Thanks so much for this valuable info.
I’ll make sure I check these other rings out when I next get a chance 🙂
Neil
hey neil, can you please give me real car directions to the wights men & samsonvale sights, as i still can’t find the buggers
hi guys i have an interest in these sights as well and have found them all including the one at Cleveland, Torbul point, Pullenvale/Belbowrie, i know where the one at Samsonvale is but can’t get access unless jump the fence which requires permission from city council (should be from Yuggera ppl)i have never been able to find the smaller ring at Weights Mountain rd/Samford, interesting i found all these after i read the book ‘aboriginal pathways in sth east Queensland’ the fish trap at Torbul point is also of interest, i have been speaking to some of the Yaggera ppl in Brisbane latlly and they want to bring the ceremonies back to these places ! 🙂
Hi Jason
“Aboriginal Pathways” is a great book. It’s quite rare too.
The smaller ring at Wights mountain is at the other end of the reserve, up the hill and around the corner about 800m away. There are a couple of scarred trees near it.
Neil
Hi Neil
Have you ever been to the Bora site on the way to Rainbow Beach? The second time we went there it was much harder to find as some of the access points are no longer visible and/or open. Was a strange feeling being at a place with so much history but not knowing much about it.
Hi Ruth
I didn’t even know about that ring. Where abouts is it? I would love to check it out some time.
Neil
Its behind the sewerage treatment plant near Cooloola Cove. The first time we found it we entered somewhere to the left of the plant however this is now so overgrown that we couldnt find the entrance which was 4wd only. Initially we found it because there is a geocache located at the entrance. The second time, a homeowner allowed us to access the path to it via his property. I’ll see if I can tag you in Strava to show you where it is
I cant work out if I can tag you in Strava so here is the link – https://www.strava.com/activities/328959886
Photos are attached to the Strava activity
Thanks Ruth. This is just the info I need.
Hi. I’m a bit late, but unfortunately the only remains that are left is the corner between Wights Mountain Road and a recently constructed road, Jaloura Court. Such a shame.
Hi Jacob
I think you missed it.
The ring is 3km away from Jaloura Court on UPPER Wights Mountain Road, not Wights Mountain Road.
Here’s a map showing the route from Jaloura Court to the ring.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1eS45uEj-F_fMa8qlsZfJ54TSdDtnWe0H&usp=sharing
Neil
Hi Neil
Thanks for this and the comments from others.
I have visited the Samford rings several times over the last few years. Care of the land has fallen to Moreton Bay RC so important we keep an eye on their practices.
The smaller ring is ignored by the Council – I mark it with fallen timber each time in hope that engenders respect. And I do not enter that ring myself out of respect.
The pathway between the rings is discernible & some scarred trees remain.
And a recent scar on adjoining land in way to the creek – culture is alive by looks
Thanks for the update, Byron
Does anyone know of a bora ring near Oakleigh State School? I have a vague memory of it being mentioned when I was a student in the 1970s. Wondering if it has survived (if my memory was right).
Hi Peter
I used to live down the road from Oakleigh State School, and my kids went to school there.
I have never heard of a Bora Ring in the area, but will ask around and see what I can find out.
Hi Peter
Yes – there was a bora ring in that area.
More info here:
https://mappingbrisbanehistory.com.au/history-location/ashgrove-bora-ground-326/
The large ring was located where the school oval is now.
The small ring was located near the intersection of Wardell St and Banks St.