What is a Torres Strait Buk?

What is a Torres Strait Buk? Mask (Buk, Krar, or Kara) mid to late 19th century. Turtle-shell masks in the Western Torres Strait reportedly were used during funerary ceremonies and increase rites, designed to ensure

What is a Torres Strait Buk?

Mask (Buk, Krar, or Kara) mid to late 19th century. Turtle-shell masks in the Western Torres Strait reportedly were used during funerary ceremonies and increase rites, designed to ensure bountiful harvests and an abundance of fish and game.

What did the Buk mask represent?

A ceremonial mask called buk. Combines an abstracted human face below a frigate bird. The face may represent an honored ancestor or a hero.

Who created the Buk mask?

Mask (Buk), Torres Strait, Mabuiag Island, mid to late 19th century,turtle shell, wood, cassowary feathers, fiber, resin, shell, paint, 21 1/2 inches high (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) Speakers: Dr. Peri Klemm and Dr. Beth Harris. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.

Where is the Torres Strait?

The Torres Strait is Australia’s northern-most frontier, stretching from the tip of Queensland to the southern shores of Papua New Guinea. There are over 200 islands scattered throughout the Torres Strait, and of these 17 are inhabited.

What is the ceremonial significance of the malagan display and mask?

Function: Commonly used at funeral sites. Send a farewell off to the dead. Celebrate the achievements and life of the dead.

Are Torres Strait Islanders Australian citizens?

Torres Strait Islanders are First Nations Australians who come from the islands of the Torres Strait, between Cape York in Queensland and Papua New Guinea.

Why are Torres Strait Islanders not Aboriginal?

Torres Strait Islander people are of predominantly Melanesian descent, distinct from Aboriginal Australians on the mainland and some other Australian islands, and share some genetic and cultural traits with the people of New Guinea.

Why are malagan masks destroyed?

Malangan sculptures were made to be used on a single occasion and then destroyed. They are symbolic of many important subjects, including identity, kinship, gender, death, and the spirit world.

What is a malagan ceremony?

Malagan refers to both the memorial ceremonies carried out after burial and mourning as well as the masks, figures and posts made for use in these ceremonies. In New Ireland, the body of the deceased is generally buried. Malagan ceremonies are carried out after this mourning period and complete the funerary rites.

Is it rude to say indigenous?

‘Indigenous’ comes from the Latin word ‘indigena’ meaning ‘native to the land’ or ‘sprung from the land’. The term ‘Indigenous’ and using the acronym ATSI can be offensive.” It is also a term the government imposed on Aboriginal people and used as a category. Avoid using this term.

How many times were Malangan figures used before being destroyed?

Malagan sculptures were made to be used on a single occasion and then destroyed.

How tall is the mask from Torres Strait?

Mask (Buk), Torres Strait, Mabuiag Island, mid to late 19th century,turtle shell, wood, cassowary feathers, fiber, resin, shell, paint, 21 1/2 inches high (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) Speakers: Dr. Peri Klemm and Dr. Beth Harris. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker. This is the currently selected item.

What kind of culture does the Torres Strait have?

The Torres strait people have a rich culture that is located Torres Strait Islands that lie between Australia and New Guinea. Their culture is made up of interesting art pieces, ceremonies, and customs. Most art pieces are used in funeral ceremonies which are often very elaborate.

Why did the Torres Strait Islanders use turtle shells?

Turtle-shell masks in the Western Torres Strait reportedly were used during funerary ceremonies and increase rites, designed to ensure bountiful harvests and an abundance of fish and game.