Lot 60

Elcho Island Arts & Crafts, Elcho Island, Northern Territory (accompanied by a copy of a certificate of authenticity)
Private collection, Melbourne

"This is a dhuwa (moiety) pole for dhuwa clans. It is from my father's side. We use it for a memory ceremony, (usually around one year after the death of the person) for dhuwa, only or for men's business. It sends the spirit to the star (the Banumbirr star - known as Venus).

The flowers are the mokuy's (spirit of the deceased) nahta (food) - gingja, wild fruit. The ones on string are the ripe nahta the others are not ready to eat. The white feathers (going around pole) is the start of the travel, to call the clans from Ngaymil, Ramingining, Djapu, Rorruwy. The red (orange) one has arrived at all the clans. The bush string wrapped around the pole. The different places the Banumbirr travels to. White is the rising of the star. Orange (yellow) is when it is there and this black (brown) is when it is back home again and put in the bag.", The Artist, as stated on the Elcho Island Arts & Crafts certificate of authenticity

© Henry Gambika Nupurra/Copyright Agency, 2023