IDNO

P.746.ACH1

Description

On Catalogue Card: “Kwoiam’s water-hole, Mabuiag.” [typed text, circa 1935]

View of Kwoiam’s water-hole on Mabuiag. “To the right, on the slab of rock sloping down from the hole, is the place where Kwoiam sat down and close by are the grooves he made in the rock when straightening his javelins; beyond these can be seen the crevice down which the streamlet trickles” [Based on Haddon’s Reports V, p.82, [JD 22/5/2011]

Slab of rock in a clearing partially covered by leaves. There is a large crevice in the top right of the rock. [Jude Philp 25/2/1998]

Place

Oceania Australasia; Australia; Torres Strait; Mabuiag [Mabuyag]

Cultural Affliation

Torres Strait Islander

Named Person

Photographer

Haddon, Alfred Cort

Collector / Expedition

Haddon, Alfred Cort [Cambridge University Anthropological Expedition to the Torres Straits, 1898 - 1899]

Date

27 September 1898

Collection Name

Mounted Haddon CollectionTorres Strait Island Expedition

Source

Haddon, Alfred Cort (Dr)

Format

Quarterplate

Primary Documentation

Other Information

Related Image: N.22932 is a half-plate close up of this image. [Jude Philp 15/3/1999]

Date: Haddon mentions going to photograph the Kwoiam-related places on Mabuiag on 27.9.98 (1898: 230). [Jude Philp 15/3/1999]

Publication: Printed in Reports V: Plate III fig. 3 with the caption “Kwoiam’s water-hole, Mabuiag. To the right, on the slab of rock sloping down from the hole, is the place where Kwoiam sat down and close by are the grooves he made in the rock when straightening his javelins; beyond these can be seen the crevice down which the streamlet trickles (p.82)”. This is one of a series of photographs taken marking Kwoiam’s path on Mabuiag and Pulu. [Jude Philp 15/3/1999]

Context: The story of Kwoiam and the islet of Pulu are particularly important for the people of Mabuiag. Expedition members recorded various places and ceremonies connected to Kwoiam in the Reports (see below), as well as a more general account in Headhunters (1901: 74-87). [Jude Philp 15/3/1999]

Place: Pulu is a small rocky island on the western Mabuiag reef. Several rock formations on Pulu relate to Kwoiams movements and possessions (his throwing stick; his footprint; bodies of men killed by him; his water hole). Pulu was also the site of an important kwod (an area set apart tabooed to women and uninitiated. It roughly translates to the term ‘men’s house’); a grave site; the grave (cairn) of Kwoiam; and an area of ritual and spiritual importance (V 1904: 4-5). [Jude Philp 25/2/1998]

Bibliographical Reference: Reports V (1904: 67-83) the story of Kwoiam with songs and Indigenous language texts; (367-73) actions and ceremonies relating to Kwoiam; Reports III (194-219) the story of Kwoiam written by Waria of Mabuiag; Reports I (1935: 380-385) gives a summary of the legend associated with Kwoiam). [Jude Philp 15/3/1999]