SUNG TO DEATH? -

Many people know about the tragedy of Charles Yelverton O'Connor and how he was driven to suicide by stress and press reports that were outright lies. Few know of another claim that he was 'sung' to death by Aboriginal tribes who were angry about the removal of the rock bar at Fremantle.

The rock bar restricted the flow of salt water into the Swan River and was a popular place for the Aborigines to gather and spear fish. When the bar was removed they lost access to this important food source and apparently put a curse on O'Connor. When he took his own life the Aborigines believed that their magic had worked.

Belief in spirits and magic was (and in some cases still is) very strong among the Aborigines and in their culture, being 'sung' was an effective death sentence. There are reports that those who knew this had happened to them would simply give up and go away to die.

An article discussing the curse on O'Connor in more depth can be found at : SMH.

(Our thanks to Ben W. for bringing this one to our attention.)

You can read the full story of C. Y. O'connor on our main website.

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