IDNO

P.909.ACH1

Description

On Catalogue Card: “Kaikai, Mer.”

A group of children, men and women seated on the ground and standing in a cleared sandy area; a small thatch house can be seen in the background. Most are looking towards the camera, particularly one man (Gisu) standing at the centre of the image. From right to left (standing): Magi, Aboa, Sagigi, Ebui, Joe, Gisu, Kaku; (first three children seated) Alaii, As, Mamsas; (three women seated) Nini, Anai, Boged; (on left seated) Eaini, Sai. [Jude Philp 20/5/1999, description from record N.23168.ACH1, JD 28/09/2018]

Place

Oceania Australasia; Australia; Torres Strait; Mer

Cultural Affliation

Torres Strait Islander

Named Person

Magi; Aboa; Sagigi; Ebui; Joe; Gisu; Kaku; Akoko; Alaii; As; Nini; Mamsas; Anai; Boged; Eaini; Soe;

Photographer

None

Collector / Expedition

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

Date

1898

Collection Name

Mounted Haddon CollectionTorres Strait Island Expedition

Source

Haddon, Alfred Cort (Dr)

Format

Print Black & White Mounted

Primary Documentation

Other Information

Context: The identification comes from Haddon’s papers in “Green Box 146” drawer 1. envl. 1. Further information identifies Nini, sister of Pasi. Ebui son of Baton. Joe, son of Kangaroo. As daugther of Anai. Alaii, daugther of Pokas married Baiko. Anai wife of Gibaz. Soe married to Meiti. Akoko daughter of Modi. Mamasa of Darnley
Kaikai means food or eating. The envelope for this negative links it to N.23169.ACH2 (P.910.ACH1) an image of food piled ready for a feast.
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, from record N.23168.ACH1, JD 28/09/2018]