IDNO

LS.109407.TC1

Description

On Catalogue Card: "Mer. (Initiation).
Bomai mask worn in the Malu ceremonies - cardboard model.
(2 slides)." [manuscript in ink]

Documentary photograph of a model Bomai mask, now in the care of the MAA, reference Z 9441, and described as:
"Cardboard model of Malu headdress made for A.C. Haddon of original turtleshell headdress representing hammerhead shark with arms and human face. In centre upright plate supporting five feathered sticks (daumer lub) and spray of croton leaves, supported by strings. Additional small models of frigate birds, reef heron, a small grey bird, centipede and tree frog. Used in climax of Malu-Bomai initiation ritual." [Description from record Z 9441, JD 10/03/2020]

Place

Oceania Australasia; Oceania Melanesia; Australia; Torres Strait; Mer

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

Related Object: This mask, and its companion Bomai, were were made for Haddon by Wano and Enocha of Mer, a description can be found in Headhunters 1901:46 and Reports VI: 289.
The Malu (Z 9441)and Bomai (Z 9940) masks are now part of the UCMAA collection. This photograph shows details which have become detached from the original (e.g. the feathers).
The mask was worn by an Islander when he performed segments of the original Malo-Bomai dances for Haddon to film on the cinematograph (see P.934.ACH1 to P.937.ACH1 for stills of the film); stills with the mask are printed in Reports VI: Plate XXIX, fig. 2, 3. [Jude Philp 9/3/1999, Updated by Anita Herle July 2019]

Publication: Image published in 'Recording Kastom: Alfred Haddon’s Journals from his Expeditions to the Torres Strait and New Guinea, 1888–89, 1898–99', Edited by Anita Herle and Jude Philp (Sydney University Press), Fig 7.15, and captioned: "Documentary photo of a Malu mask in the form of a hammerhead shark constructed out of cardboard with bean eyes, a wax nose and arms. Small figures of birds, a centipede and frog along the top, with an upright attachment of croton leaves and five Torres Strait pigeon feathers. H 44cm L 57cm W 29cm. Commissioned by Haddon and made by Wano and Enocha, Mer, August 1898. MAA N.22927." [JD 13/03/2020]