Churinga

Museum number:
11-40779
Permalink:
ark:/21549/hm21110040779
Accession number:
Acc.2519
Description:
Sacred board (churinga); lanceolate - shaped; convex cross-section; engraved and punctate on both faces; snake-like pattern on one face, zig-zag design on the other; red stain; sacred board used during sacred ceremony for a young man’s initiation into manhood, totemic significance.
Donor:
Daniel L. Adler
Collection place:
Western Australia
Culture or time period:
Aboriginal Australians
Collector:
Bruce D. Lawes
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Churingas (sacred boards)
Function:
5.1 Religion and Divination: Objects and garb associated with practices reflecting submission, devotion, obedience, and service to supernatural agencies
Accession date:
1969
Department:
Oceania
Loans:
S1976-1977 #61: Citizens Savings (March 25, 1977–April 11, 1977)
Images:
Hearst Museum object titled Churinga, accession number 11-40779, described as Sacred board (churinga); lanceolate - shaped; convex cross-section; engraved and punctate on both faces; snake-like pattern on one face, zig-zag design on the other; red stain; sacred board used during sacred ceremony for a young man’s initiation into manhood, totemic significance. Notice: Image restricted due to its potentially sensitive nature. Contact Museum to request access.

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