The Churinga is an equivalent of the bull-roarer or whirler of other authors. It has such a special significance amongst the Native tribes of Central Australia that the authors chose to use the local name.

Among many other things, the spirit of the dead can enter his Churinga, it can be used to kill, and it can be transformed into from another object such as Lalira.

In the northern tribe of Central Australia, it is said that Atnatu first of all made the Churinga, and swung them up in the sky when he initiated his offspring, and now he is glad when he hears the natives on the earth making the bull-roarer sound as they initiate the boys, but he is angry if they do not.

However, according to the Binbinga tribe the churinga originated from two Dingo men of the Alcheringa, who also first introduced the use of a stone knife at circumcision. In the Anula tribe the whirlwind first made the Churinga which is called murra-murra.

Also, the book mentioned that the natives make the Churinga called murtu-murtu out of the wood of Naiantha and that the Arunta and Kaitish believe that each spirit child has its own Churinga and can enter any woman.

In the Arunta tribe, Churinga are very largely used in connection with sacred ceremonies. When a series of these is going to be performed, the first thing that is done is for one or two of the old men to go to the sacred storehouse and bring thence a large number of Churinga. They place these on a special platform built on the ceremonial ground, the spot being regarded as sacred so long as the Churinga remain there.