Jason Joran

Tokwampini, the bird.

2021

CAT
575-21
Locally sourced natural ochres on ironwood
50
cm
Dimensions variable

Framed

400
Or
for set of
On hold
SOLD
Not for sale
Price on request

Tokwampini was the messenger in the pukumani mythology, it as he who told Purukaparli that his wife Bima had committed adultery with her brother-in-law Taparra. This event lead to the mortality of the Tiwi people, the first death, the first funeral pukumani. Tokwampini became a jabiru (native crane), but tokwampini is a common Tiwi name for bird. Birds were humans long ago. When Purukuparli said "I will have a big ceremony for my son" the birds heard. There were pelicans, owls and all sorts of birds. One of the birds spoke to Purukuparli and said " If you are having ceremony, we will give you feathers for your headband, armbands and goosefeatherball to decorate yourself so you won't be recognised by the spirit of the dead."

Courtesy Jilamara Arts and Crafts

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