Summary
The burala is attached to a string that is twirled above the head making the sound similar to that made by a diver duck, also called burala, as it dives down and swoops the water. The design represents the bones or skeleton of the catfish.
Local Name
Burala
Physical Description
A paddle shaped object made from a single piece of wood and painted with natural pigments. A short piece of vegetable fibre string is attached through a hole in the proximal end.
More Information
-
Object/Medium
Ceremonial object
-
Cultural Groups
-
Locality
Howard Island, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
-
Date Produced
-
Collector
-
Date Collected
-
Object Measurements
425 mm (Length), 70 mm (Width), 30 mm (Height)
-
Maker
Djawa Dhawarringu, circa 1950
This object has been attributed to Djawa by his son, the late Joe Neparrnga Gumbula, and other men from Milingimbi. -
Keywords
-
Collection Names
-
Type of item
-
Discipline
-
Category
-
Collecting Areas
Australian Indigenous - Northern Australia and Queensland and Torres Strait Islands