Summary

Pairs of these distinctive armbands were made by the Tiwi for close relatives to wear at the funeral of a recently deceased person. Women primarily wear them when they dance during this ceremony known as pukamani.

Local Name

Tjunguti

Physical Description

An armband made from a single sheet of bark folded and stitched and the edges sealed with resin, most likely beeswax. It is painted with natural pigments and decorated with abstract designs. It has an additional component made of wood, vegetable fibre string and feathers extending from one end.

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