NMA_1985_0167_0057

Title: A message stick at the National Museum of Australia

Description: NMA description: "Wood, elliptical cross section, truncated ends, transverse and crossed incisions on surfaces. Numbulwar. N.T. Made by Merai. 'Kunapipi message stick'."

Creator of Object: Merai

Item type: message stick in a collection

Linguistic area 1: Chirila: Warndarang Austlang: N120 - Warndarrang Glottolog: wand1263

Notes on linguistic areas: This message stick is associated with Numbulwar. N.T. (see above NMA description)

Dimension 1: 120mm Dimension 2: 25mm Dimension 3: 10mm

Materials: wood

Institution/Holder file: The National Museum of Australia object identifier: 1985.0167.0057

Collector: Dr Helen M Wurm collection no. 6

Coordinates: 14°16'34.298400"S,135°44'25.101600"E  (-14.276194, 135.740306)

Media copyright: The National Museum of Australia

Notes: From NMA Object Schedule sent by Anne Faris on 25.08.2022 Kunapipi is a particular ritual practiced in Arnhem Land. Perhaps the message stick was used to summon participants to the ceremony.

Data Entry: Nitzan Rotman