Accession No

Z 27604


Description

Bullroarer - Wooden bullroarer, which is engraved on both sides. Churinga are inscribed with sacred designs, which represent a totemic ancestor. Aboriginal women and uninitiated boys are forbidden to see them. Their meaning is only fully divulged to men who are initiated into that totem and who are of elder status. Those with a hole bored in one end (stone ones excepted), for the attachment of a cord, are called bullroarers. When whirled round, they produce a characteristic sound believed to be "spirit talk". This one is marked "F. Arunta" and "No totem"


Place

Oceania; Australasia; Australia


Period


Source


Department

Anth


Reference Numbers

Z 27604; MAA: Z 27604


Cultural Affliation

Arunta


Material

Wood


Local Term


Measurements


Events

Context (CMS Context)
Found: Central Australia; Exhibited: On display in the Maudslay Hall, CUMAA, from 1990
Event Date 28/4/1993
Author: maa


Description (CMS Description)
Wooden bullroarer, which is engraved on both sides. Churinga are inscribed with sacred designs, which represent a totemic ancestor. Aboriginal women and uninitiated boys are forbidden to see them. Their meaning is only fully divulged to men who are initiated into that totem and who are of elder status. Those with a hole bored in one end (stone ones excepted), for the attachment of a cord, are called bullroarers. When whirled round, they produce a characteristic sound believed to be " spirit talk" . This one is marked " F. Arunta" and " No totem"
Event Date 28/4/1993
Author: maa


FM:87814

Images (Click to view full size):