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Oceanian
Ceremonial Artifacts ➔ Mortuary Pole, Tutini
Identifier:
196663Description:
Hardwood log carved into two rough human figures, a female standing on the head of a male. The statue is decorated with white, yellow, and red designs. The faces of both figures are also vividly decorated with white and yellow spots and lines. The piece is accompanied by a threaded steel mounting stand and four wood screws.This type of mortuary pole is used in Pukumani ceremonies. The Pukumani ceremony occurs approximately six months after the deceased has been buried. As Jane Goodale states, 'The Tiwi regard the Pukumani as the most important ceremony in a persons life in the world of the living, and even though the Mobuditi (spirit of one dead) has been released, the persons existence in the living world is not finished until the completion of the ceremony. To the Tiwi the entire focus of the ceremony is on the person now in the grave. This attitude results in the consistent variations in cast and script.' (Goodale, Jane 1971 Tiwi Wives, University of Washington Press, page 259-260). The performance of this ceremony ensures that the spirit goes from the living world into the spirit world. Prior to the ceremony in laws are commissioned to carve tall totemic poles. These are placed around the burial site during the ceremony. These poles symbolise the status and prestige of the deceased. The Pukumani ceremony allows Tiwi full expression of their grief. It is a public ceremony and provides a forum for artistic expression through song, dance, sculpture and body painting.
Date:
1980Materials:
Carved Wood, PaintDimensions:
50.5" h 8" w 8" dCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift Of The Australian PeopleExhibit/Program:
Mysterious Voyages (February – May 2002)Related Entities:
Tiwi (creator)The Tiwi are an Indigenous people who live on Bathhurst and Melville Islands, off of the northern coast of Australia.
The Australian People (donor) Carol S. Ivory (identified by)Associate Professor, Dept. of Fine Arts, Washington State University
Related Object:
Related Places:
Northern TerritoryMelville Island
Australia