Summary
This distinctive string ornament is called matjka and was made for young girls in Arnhem Land to wear when they reached puberty. Women also wore them in ceremony. The overwound sections is worn on the back and the loose strings are crossed over the chest. These are also made with feathered string. Young boys would also wear these at dhapi or circumcision ceremonies.
Local Name
matjka
Physical Description
An ornament comprising multiple strands of vegetable fibre string. The back of it is overwound with string and the loose strings are divided into two segments.
More Information
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Object/Medium
Ornament, shoulder
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Maker
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Locality
Milingimbi, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Date Produced
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Collector
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Date Collected
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Object Measurements
230 mm (Length), 190 mm (Width), 25 mm (Height)
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Keywords
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Collection Names
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Type of item
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Discipline
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Category
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Collecting Areas
Australian Indigenous - Northern Australia and Queensland and Torres Strait Islands