Book

The Tiwi: their art, myth, and ceremony

Phoenix House in association with Georgian House, MelbourneLondon • 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.
Subjects
Mythology
Visual arts
Music
Dance
Historical reconstruction
General character of religion
Ethnometeorology
Ethnogeography
Ethnozoology
Spirits and gods
Sacred objects and places
Mourning
culture
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