IDNO

P.908.ACH1

Description

On Catalogue Card: “Kaketut, Mer.” [typed text]
“(Marriage ceremony. Exchange of presents)” [manuscript in pencil]

A group of men and women holding a pole laden with food, other bystanders are gesturing and looking towards the food bundle. In the background are two tall stacks of food held between bamboo poles. A man is at the top of the pole to the right. [Jude Philp 20/5/1999, description from record N.23167.ACH2, JD 09/10/2018]

Place

Oceania Australasia; Australia; Torres Strait; Mer

Cultural Affliation

Torres Strait Islander

Named Person

Ulai; Nini; Arker; Boged

Photographer

Myers, Charles Samuel (Dr)

Collector / Expedition

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

Date

July 1898

Collection Name

Mounted Haddon CollectionTorres Strait Island Expedition

Source

Haddon, Alfred Cort (Dr)

Format

Print Black & White Mounted

Primary Documentation

Other Information

Publication: This photograph appears in the Reports VI: XV. fig. 3 with the caption “Kaketut. [meaning] Present of food (p.119)”. He writes the present was given in July at Zomared village in connection with a death-feast and names four of the participants in the photograph. (see VI: 119 for a full description). [Jude Philp 20/5/1999]

Related Image: At least five separate feasts took place when the Expedition was at Mer. One is mentioned by Myers (1998: ); two photographed by Myers (P.908.ACH1; P.911.ACH1) referenced in the Reports (VI: 119); and three noted by Haddon: 1. a food present connected with Dick and Aba’s wedding (P.907.ACH1) both of which were photographed (1898: 66); 2. a large feast connected with the funeral of a Darnley Islander, parts of which were photographed (P.919.ACH1; P.920.ACH1) (1898: 191-2); 3. Haddon mentions a smaller funeral feast which took place around 27 July (1898: 192). [Jude Philp 20/5/1999]