Accession No
Z 27612
Description
Churinga - Wooden churinga, 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"
Place
Oceania; Australasia; Australia
Period
Source
Department
Anth
Reference Numbers
Z 27612
Cultural Affliation
Material
Wood
Local Term
Measurements
Events
Context (CMS Context)
Found: Central Australia
Event Date 28/4/1993
Author: maa
Description (CMS Description)
Wooden churinga, 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"
Event Date 28/4/1993
Author: maa
FM:87822
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