Accession No

Z 27613

Description

Churinga - Slightly curved, wooden churinga, which is carved on the concave side. 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 "Poo Pinba. A very valuable totem stick, supposed to tell when hostile tribe is near and other wonderful things. Women are supposed to die if they look at this totem"

Place

Oceania; Australasia; Australia

Period

Source

Department

Anth

Reference Numbers

Z 27613

Cultural Affliation

Material

Wood

Local Term

Measurements

Events