Corroborees played a significant role in social and diplomatic contexts among Aboriginal tribes. According to Roderick J. Flanagan, these gatherings were often held as sequels to battles or as occasions for friendly meetings and consultations between tribes. John Morgan, in his account of William Buckley, described a “great corroboree” held as a rejoicing upon Buckley’s arrival, and another that brought together over a thousand people from approximately ten different tribes, highlighting their role in large-scale social cohesion.
The sacred and ceremonial aspect of corroborees was perhaps their most profound dimension. Spencer and Gillen documented their integral role in male initiation ceremonies, such as the Engwura, where corroborees were essential sacred processes. R.N. Richard Sadleir recorded a corroboree held specifically for rain-making approximately 200 miles from Sydney, demonstrating their connection to spiritual and practical needs.
Furthermore, as noted in “Kamilaroi and Kurnai,” the “Birraarks” derived their corroboree songs and dances from ancestral ghosts, and among tribes like the Gournditch-mara and Turra, special men learned these songs directly from departed spirits, emphasizing the deep spiritual lineage of these performances.
Many corroborees were elaborate theatrical performances that mimicked real-life events. Gideon S. Lang gave a detailed account of a “grand corroboree” that depicted a herd of cattle feeding, being hunted by Aboriginal people, and a subsequent battle with white stockmen, illustrating how these events incorporated contemporary themes. Similarly, R.N. Richard Sadleir described a large-scale performance involving 500 participants who represented a herd of cattle, a troop of horses, stockmen, and engaged in a sham-fight, showcasing the mimetic and dramatic capabilities of these gatherings.
Corroborees also served as a powerful marker of cultural identity. As highlighted in “Kamilaroi and Kurnai,” despite variations among different groups, all Kurnai people were united through shared corroboree-songs and dances. This common cultural practice reinforced social bonds and maintained a collective identity across the tribe, underscoring the unifying power of these traditions.