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Australian Aborigines

In the nineteenth century, the Aborigines were classed as the most primitive people on Earth. Not practising agriculture, animal husbandry, metallurgy or weaving, these hunters-gatherers were considered to have no artistic sensibility. Later, anthropological field work showed that this was not the case and revealed refined, sophisticated cultures.

Honouring the dead

The Tiwi from Bathurst and Melville Islands honour their dead through rituals called pukumani which put an end to the sexual, food and behavioural taboos imposed during the period of mourning. During pukumani ceremonies, the Tiwi wear bracelets and other ceremonial objects as a sign of mourning. Their dancing and singing ensure that the spirit of the dead will find its way to the spirit world where it will live forever. A few months after death, tutini grave posts are erected on the tomb and left until they fall apart in the weather.

Nowadays, these rituals include many Christian elements.

Tutini grave posts (Australia, Northern Territory, Melville Island). Photograph by Axel Poignant, 1948 © National Library of Australia