Last of His Tribe
By an Aboriginal Australian poet
Change is the law. The new must oust the old.
I look at you and am back in the long ago,
Old pinaroo lonely and lost here
Last of your clan.Left only with your memories, you sit
And think of the joyous throng, the happy people,
The voices and the laughter
All gone, all gone,
And you remain alone.I asked and you let me hear
The soft vowelly tongue to be heard now
No more forever. For me
You enact old scenes, old ways, you who have used
Boomerang and spear.You singer of ancient tribal songs,
You leader once in the corroboree,
You twice in fierce tribal fights
With wild enemy blacks from over the river,
All gone, all gone. And I feel
The sudden sting of tears, Willie Mackenzie
In the Salvation Army Home.Displaced person in your own country,
Lonely in city crowds,
Last of your tribe.
Summary of Last of His Tribe
- About the Poem: “Last of His Tribe” is a poignant reflection on the impact of colonisation on Indigenous Australians. The poem is traditionally attributed to an Aboriginal Australian poet and depicts the story of Willie Mackenzie, believed to be the last surviving member of the Darwarbada tribe in the Caboolture district. It captures the loss of culture, tradition, and identity experienced by Indigenous peoples, leaving a lasting impression on readers.
- Central Idea: The poem is a lament for a vanishing way of life. It explores themes of displacement, loss, and the enduring connection to ancestral lands and culture. The poet conveys the personal grief and loneliness felt by those who witnessed the dismantling of their world, serving as a powerful reminder of the human cost of progress and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
Analysis of Last of His Tribe
Stanza‑by‑Stanza Breakdown
The poem opens with a declaration of inevitable change – “Change is the law. The new must oust the old.” This establishes a sense of historical inevitability, framing change as a loss. The speaker immediately connects to the past, stating “I look at you and am back in the long ago,” identifying Willie Mackenzie as a living link to a bygone era. The phrase “Last of your clan” is stark and direct, emphasising his isolation and the finality of the loss.
The second stanza deepens the sense of sorrow and loneliness. Mackenzie is described as immersed in memories of “the joyous throng, the happy people,” a vibrant community now vanished. The repetition of “All gone, all gone,” creates a mournful rhythm that underscores the extent of the loss. The simple statement “And you remain alone” is heartbreaking in its directness.
The third stanza shifts focus to the richness of Mackenzie’s cultural knowledge. The speaker invites him to share his stories and skills—“I asked and you let me hear”—effectively positioning him as a storyteller and cultural preserver. The mention of the “soft vowelly tongue” highlights the importance of language as a carrier of culture and its impending silence. Mackenzie’s ability to “enact old scenes, old ways” demonstrates his living connection to his ancestors. The tools of his people – “Boomerang and spear” – are symbols of their identity and way of life.
The fourth stanza builds on this sense of cultural richness, detailing Mackenzie’s roles within his community—“You singer of ancient tribal songs,” “You leader once in the corroboree,” and “You twice in fierce tribal fights.” These lines illustrate his importance and skill, making his loss all the more tragic. The inclusion of battles with other Indigenous groups acknowledges the complexities of pre‑colonial life, but even those conflicts are now part of the lost past. The speaker’s admission of tears (“And I feel the sudden sting of tears”) signifies a shared grief and empathy. The detail of his current residence—“In the Salvation Army Home”—provides a poignant contrast between his former life and his present displacement.
The final stanza delivers a crushing blow: “Displaced person in your own country.” This powerfully encapsulates the tragedy of colonisation and the loss of sovereignty. The image of him being “Lonely in city crowds” highlights the irony of being surrounded by people yet utterly isolated. The poem ends with a stark repetition of “Last of your tribe,” a haunting reminder of the irreversible loss of a culture and a people.
Literary and Poetic Devices
- Imagery: The poet masterfully uses imagery to evoke a strong emotional response. Phrases such as “soft vowelly tongue” and “city crowds” create vivid pictures, immersing the reader in the poem’s setting and emotional landscape.
- Repetition: The repetition of “All gone, all gone” and “Last of your tribe” emphasises the finality of the loss and reinforces the poem’s central theme. It functions almost as a refrain, haunting the reader throughout.
- Anaphora: The repeated use of “You” at the beginning of several lines in the fourth stanza—“You singer… You leader… You twice…”—highlights Mackenzie’s role and contributions within his tribe, creating a powerful tribute.
- Enjambment: The use of enjambment, where a phrase continues onto the next line without punctuation, creates a sense of flow and momentum, mirroring the continuity of culture even in the face of loss. For example, the line “And I feel/ the sudden sting of tears…” links the emotional response to the description of Mackenzie’s situation.
- Free Verse: The poem is written in free verse, allowing the poet to create a natural, conversational tone and prioritise emotional impact over formal structure.
- Symbolism: Mackenzie himself functions as a symbol of a lost culture and way of life. His isolation and displacement represent the broader experiences of Indigenous Australians during colonisation.
Themes
- Loss and Grief: The central theme is the profound loss experienced by Indigenous Australians due to colonisation. The poem addresses not only the loss of people but also the loss of culture, language, tradition, and identity.
- Displacement and Alienation: The poem vividly portrays the sense of displacement and alienation felt by Indigenous people who were forced from their lands and way of life. Mackenzie’s isolation in the Salvation Army Home and his loneliness in the city symbolize this broader experience.
- Cultural Preservation: Despite the overwhelming sense of loss, the poem also celebrates the richness and resilience of Indigenous culture. The descriptions of Mackenzie’s skills and knowledge emphasise the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
- The Impact of Colonisation: The poem is a powerful indictment of the destructive impact of colonisation on Indigenous communities. It highlights the injustices and suffering caused by dispossession and cultural suppression.
“Last of His Tribe” is a deeply moving and important poem that serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of colonisation and the importance of preserving cultural heritage. It remains with the reader long after they have finished reading, prompting reflection on the complex relationship between history, culture, and identity.