Sacred board "tjuringa"
Description
wood, reddish brown patina, red ochre, of oval form, flattened on one side and slightly vaulted on reverse, engraved with totemic motifs on both sides, slightly dam., minor missing parts along the rim, fine cracks, drilled hole;
most commonly “tjuringa” were kept in caves, quite often in hollow trees. These “storage facilities” were situated on holy ground, which no uninitiated person was allowed to enter. Every newborn child received a “tjuringa” of the corresponding totem, which formerly belonged to a deceased person. Hereby the aborigines belief in incarnation was affirmed. The “tjuringas” were taken out for fertility and initation rites. They were even visited at their places of storage, where they were venerated and caressed. On this occasion they were rubbed with ochre and grease.