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$6,162 (tax inc.)
SOLD
There are many forms of Torres Strait headdresses. In the Western Islands these headdresses are called dhoeris. Historically dhoeris were worn during ceremony, rituals and tribal wars, while today there are only worn by dancers on ceremonial occasions. The form of dhoeri I have created was once used during traditional ceremonies and war. I have constructed a dhoeri very similar to the ones that were made in the past. This dhoeri was used throughout the Torres Strait, but mostly in the Western Islands. The arches in the middle represent the totems of four tribes on Badu Island. Each person is given a totem at birth. The double arch represents the tribes, crocodile, file ray, dog & dugong. The fifth tribe is represented by the feathers in the middle section which is the cassowary. The feathers are cut like fish tails, representing the fish that inhabit the waters around the islands that we hunt in daily. Cowry shells were once a currency used by Torres Strait Islanders during the headhunting days. Cassowary feathers are incorporated for totemic or spiritual reasons. The full mai (pearl shell pendant) represents a fully initiated warrior. The mai is worn as a necklace with the shell positioned on the chest. The cassowary feathers are used for totemic, decorative reasons. The specific details of these dhoeris and rituals have been handed down orally through generations, referred to as Adhimin Tiday (in parables). I cannot disclose the finer details and specific meanings behind this dhoeri for cultural reasons.
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