Quabara Okraninna of Okilchia, Charlotte Waters
Physical Description
A decorated performer squats on ground with decorated pole in front of him on ground. Another decorated dancer in background approaches. Now second dancer holding spear-thrower behind back is close to first dancer.
Primary Comments
Spencer writes: 'In the afternoon we had another performance representing an old man whose wife was stolen by another man. The original owner of the lady was blind and went about groping with a long stick. The native who represented him was gaily dressed up with white & red birds down & went about creeping on all fours with a long stick which he poked about as if he wanted to find something like a blind man feeling things with a walking stick as he goes along. Another man represented the woman & another who had 5 long [head and shoulders sketch of man with headdress] sticks in his head something like this was the gentleman who had stolen the lady. The other natives sat on one side and sang & beat time on the ground.' (Personal Journal, 3rd April 1901) Gillen writes: 'In the afternoon the blacks performed Quabara Okraninna of Okilchia the sacred ceremony of the great snake of Okilchia of which we got kine and photographic records.' (Gillen 1968:18-19)
Rights: Museum Victoria
Moving Image Details
- Restriction
- Ceremonial
- Date Made
- 03/04/1901
- Creator
- State
- Northern Territory
Subjects
- Language Groups
- Totems
- Places
Institution
- Institution
- Museum Victoria
- Registration
- sgfilm007
Classification
- Ceremony Type
- Totemic