IDNO

P.797.ACH1

Description

On Catalogue Card: “Mer from Gelam, fringing reef.”

View from Gelum hill looking down onto the garden land below and beyond this to the fringing reef along the coast line. Two dwellings can be seen on the hill bottom right. [Jude Philp 17/3/1999, updated JD 22/7/2011]

Place

Oceania Australasia; Australia; Torres Strait; Mer; Gelam; Teg

Cultural Affliation

Torres Strait Islander

Named Person

Photographer

None

Collector / Expedition

Haddon, Alfred Cort [Cambridge University Anthropology Expedition to Torres Strait, 1898 - 1899]

Date

1898

Collection Name

Mounted Haddon CollectionTorres Strait Island Expedition

Source

Haddon, Alfred Cort (Dr)

Format

Quarterplate

Primary Documentation

Other Information

Place: Gelum is the name given to the mountain side which forms the island of Mer. It is said that Gelum was a boy from Moa who took the form of a dugong to escape from his mother. After passing many islands in the Strait he came to Mer. The hill’s features depict his flippers; blow-holes; eyes and mouth. (Reports VI: 23-25; III: 248) [Jude Philp 17/3/1999]

Publication: Similar image published in 'Haddon, Afred Cort, W. J. Sollas and G. A. J. Cole, July 27 1892. 'On the Geology of Torres Straits', pl.XXIII and captioned: "Fig. 1 View of the Waier from Teg, the eastern sand-spit of Dauar.
A little to the left of the centre of the picture is seen the sand-spit of Waier, bearing a grove of coco-nut palms." [JD 15/02/2019]