IDNO

LS.109402.TC1

Description

On Catalogue Card: "Initiation & totem rites. Pulu.
Kwod on Pulu." [manuscript in ink]

Drawing showing the kwod (men’s place) at Pulu, a large space fringed by rocks and a small tree. In the distance a number of islands are outlined. [Jude Philp 31/3/1998, from record P.765.ACH1]

Place

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

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Photographer

None

Collector / Expedition

Haddon, Alfred Cort

Date

1898

Collection Name

Teaching Slide CollectionHaddon Unmounted Collection

Source

Haddon, Alfred Cort (Dr)

Format

Lantern Slide Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

Publication: The title of the drawing in Reports V, Plate I, fig. 2 is "Diagrammatic sketch of the kwod at Pulu, much compressed (pg 3-5). P.764.ACH1 is a sketch of the same scene. [Jude Philp 31/3/1998]

Bibliographical Reference: In Reports V: 4 "Near the centre of the kwod is a large oblong heap, about 10 feet in length, composed of dugong bones, and surrounded by several upright stones. This is the kai siboi. At short distances from this were the fireplaces of the five chief clans. These were so arranged that the Sam, Kodal, and tabu fireplaces were comparatively close together at its westerly end, whereas the kaigas fireplace was to the north and the dangal fireplace was to the north-east. The first three clans were the people of the big augad." [Jude Philp 31/3/1998]

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]

Date: Many of the pictures in the collection relating to Kwoiam and Pulu were taken by Anthony Wilkin on 11 October 1898. Haddon writes "On Tuesday morning Oct. 11 Ray, Seligmann, Wilkin and myself went with Cowling in his centre board cutter to Pulu - we took with us Gizu, Tom and Peter." (Journal 1898: 241). Other photographs may have been taken 21 - 27 September 1898 when Seligman, Haddon and Wilkin visited the site (see Seligman Journal 1898: 67-68; Haddon Journal 1898 230, 241-269). [Jude Philp 15/3/1999]

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]