Description
Paiwa is a mosquito repellent that occurs naturally on Badu and some of the other Western Torres Strait islands. It is harvested from a large tree that grows inland on the hilly area of the island. Branches of the tree are cut about four months prior to the start of the monsoon season. They are dried in readiness for that wet time of the year when the mosquitoes are their most troublesome. The branches and leaves are burnt which give off a very sweet smell that permeates the village and drives the mosquitoes away. The odour is quite pleasant which the artist likens to a perfume.
