Sepnauti dressed for Pukamuni ceremony, Snake Bay, Melville Island, Northern Territory, October 1948 [picture] /

• Main Author: Poignant, Axel, 1906-1986.
• Format: Still Image
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1948. 1948
• Subjects: Ceremonial objects > Northern Territory > Melville Island > Photographs; Funeral rites and ceremonies > Northern Territory > Melville Island > Photographs; Melville Island (N.T.) > Social life and customs > Photographs; Tiwi (Australian people) > Northern Territory > Melville Island > Portraits; Bathurst Island; Melville Island
• Online Access: http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn5079043

Title devised by cataloguer based on information from label on verso.; Part of the collection: Photographs of Aboriginal life and customs, including Goulburn Island South, Liverpool River, Melville Island, Bathurst Island, Milingimbi, Arnhem Land and Elcho Island districts.; "Negative no.: 547"--Label on verso of print.; Inscriptions: "Snake Bay, Melville Island, Oct. 1948. "On this occasion Sepnauti is wearing different face painting but he is wearing the same false beard of down. Hanging in front of his chest is his 'spirit ball' generally made of down. This is held in the mouth when fighting (and on other occasions) to strenthen the owner's spirit. On the right arm is a mouring armlet with its feather decorations. The spear he holds is call Arrawinnigirri, the shaft and blade are carved from one piece of timber, unique to the Tiwi."--Label on verso; "Copyright Axel Poignant"--Stamped on verso.; Condition: Buckled.; Also available in an electronic version via the Internet at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn5079043.