When I learned there was a sacred Aboriginal site just 30 minutes’ drive from my house in inner-city Brisbane, I had to investigate. Located adjacent to Samford in the township of Wights Mountain, the Samford Bora Ring is one of the most well-preserved bora rings remaining in Queensland. Additionally, Wights Mountain, I soon found out, is beautiful country and the site itself offers a bit of exploration.
What is a Bora Ring?
A bora ring is a large ring dug into the dirt, accompanied by another smaller ring, often two. They’re sacred Aboriginal sites used to initiate boys, typically 12 to 15 years old, into men. This particular bora ring, like others, was connected to a smaller ring via a ‘sacred way’. Boys were taken along the way, accompanied by men, while women and men sang before the boys sat in pairs around the mound.
Following this, a female relative stood behind a boy while the men took boomerangs into the bora ring and pointed them at the boy. The boy then took the end of the boomerang while the woman grabbed his hair and hoisted him up. The man, boy and woman then walked to the start of the sacred way before the woman was ordered back. Punishment for women entering the sacred way was death.
The Samford Bora Ring – A Sacred Aboriginal Site
I arrived at Wights Mountain bora site with my dog early in the afternoon. I parked just across the road from the entrance and strolled into the site, which is attached to acres of land. Everything was green, as we’ve had a lot of rain in Brisbane of late, which was so nice to see.
After reading the history at the site, there wasn’t really a lot else to see. Bora sites are not much to look at – little more than impressions in the ground, so they require some imagination. Saying that, the acreage attached to the grounds and the country of Samford/Wights Mountain make the excursion to this sacred Aboriginal site well worth it.
I stood there thinking about the passing of time, that not too long ago this place was a right of passage for young Aboriginal males. I thought about how intense the ceremonies must have been, and perhaps the boys were afraid, or were they? My only plight about Aboriginal sites is that I often feel disconnected with them as there’s not much left behind – at least the sites I’ve been to.
Like other bora sites, the Samford bora ring allegedly has another, smaller ring attached to it, although I failed to locate it. I went looking, respectfully walking around the site while making sure Cookie didn’t bolt into the centre. After all, this is a sacred Aboriginal site, and it’s considered disrespectful/taboo to walk inside a bora ring.
Markings
There are quite a few trees at the site that have character. Trees that are twisted, hollowed out, or burly stumps that look like they’d had a few adventures in times gone by. On one tree (pictured below), I could see what looked like ‘9R’ carved into the tree. This looked like it was done fairly recently too. If you know more about it, let me know in the comments.
The Acreage
I was thankful there was a long tract of reserve attached to the site, as I’d driven out here with my dog, who is super energetic and needed his afternoon walk. It was the perfect time of day for a walk too, as it was heading towards late afternoon and the sun was spraying through clouds that looked like big ships in the sky. The grass was well-kept and green, and I walked for a good while, thinking, as I had the place to myself.
Cookie loved this of course, as he was bolting around off-leash, exploring and getting prickles stuck in his head. When I reached the end of the property, I thought I could see another bora ring, but I realised that was probably what I wanted to see. If you visit this site – and I think you should – definitely explore the acreage, as it makes the trip even more worth it. I got some nice views of the surrounding mountains with the afternoon light here and again, my dog loved it.
A Bit of Site History
Before being a public reserve, the Samford bora ring sat on private land, but thankfully the owner preserved it to escape the fate of destruction, unlike so many other bora rings around Australia. After the owner relayed that he intended to sell the property, the Samford Bora Grounds Preservation Committee was formed, which consists of members from the Royal Historical Society of Queensland, The Anthropological Society of Queensland and the University of Queensland Bushwalking Club, amongst other groups.
The committee intended to raise enough money to compensate the owner, who was then to gazette the seven-acre site into a reserve. Well, it looks like things went well, as today we can all enjoy this sacred aboriginal site, which, as I’ve mentioned, is arguably the most complete of its kind in Queensland.
Final Thoughts
Even though there isn’t a great deal to see at the Samford Bora Ring site, it’s still well worth the trip out here. Why? The country is beautiful, the grounds are well preserved and the site serves as an important piece of history, giving Australians an insight into the culture of First National Peoples. It’s also an ace spot to bring your dog. Of course, be respectful – clean up after your dog and don’t enter the bora ring.
Check out my video below for a better perspective of the site.
Getting There
Head to Samford, then continue on Mount Glorious Road until it turns into Wights Mountain Road. The road will then become Upper Wights Mountain Road. Follow this until you come to a private property sign. Don’t enter this (as of course it’s private property), park just a little way before it on the right side of the road. On the left side, you should see the Samford bora ring site.
Enjoy.
