Joseph Tungatalum 1958
Tiwi. Japajapunga Marchfly
Munupi Arts and Crafts
Pularumpi, Melville Island,
Tiwi Islands, North region,
Northern Territory
Pukamani pole
Pole carved from iron wood and decorated with ochre
Pukamani poles are used by the aborigines of Tiwi Islands in their burial rituals. The ritual is based on the Dreamtime story of the man Purrukapali who lost his son, Jinani because of his mother Bima’s neglect, and as such she brought mortality to humans.
One expresses strong grief through dancing and singing in this funeral ritual. Together with song and dance the drawing on the wood poles symbolises the deceased person’s life, their abilities and spiritual journey.
The Pukamani ritual is the last and largest in a number of rituals performed only months after the person has died. The decorated pole is placed near the burial sites with gifts to please the soul of the dead. Close family members are decorated with arm-bands Pamajini during the ceremony. They are made of Pandanus leaves and decorated with white ochre and feathers from the white cockatoo.
Relatives perform new songs composed about the deceased. The last dance ambauru is called the death song, which marks an end to the crying, wailing and the ceremony. The poles are left at the burial site and allowed to decay.
