Jomen Nona

Marupati Gul means ‘Spirit Canoe’ in the Kala Lagaw Ya language of the western Torres Strait Islands.

This story, passed down to me by my father Philemon Nona is a story that has been told for many years by the Elders of the Torres Strait Islands.

The Spirit Canoe roams around at night waiting to take people’s souls. Sometimes their spirit will be given back but once released, they return as a different person.

The central image shows the process of a soul travelling through the canoe losing parts of its identity at each stage. It also shows the rare occasion of a soul being released but returning as a different person.

This story continues to be passed down from generation to generation, as still today; the ‘Spirit Canoe’ roams around the Islands at night.