Book
The Tiwi: their art, myth, and ceremony
Phoenix House in association with Georgian House, Melbourne • London • Published In 1958 • Pages:
By: Mountford, Charles Pearcy.
Abstract
This document deals primarily with Tiwi art and religion. The author summarizes a number of creation myths and beliefs about nature and describes funeral and initiation ceremonies. The numerous photographs of Tiwi art are described and explained in detail. A number of indications of acculturation appear in the document, particularly with reference to song texts, and there is also some discussion of changes in the age of initiation. While initiation rites are now for men of 30 or older, Mountford believes that formerly such ceremonies took place at or around puberty. This agrees with Hart and Pilling's claim of puberty initiation. The author is an ethnologist primarily interested in art who did field work among the Tiwi.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2009
- Region
- Oceania
- Sub Region
- Australia
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Betty Potash ; 1960
- Field Date
- 1954
- Coverage Date
- 1900-1958
- Coverage Place
- Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, Australia
- Notes
- Charles P. Mountford
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-182) and index
- LCCN
- 2003374341
- LCSH
- Tiwi (Australian people)--Rites and ceremonies/Art, Tiwi (Australia)/Tiwi (Australian people)--Folklore