Kupai

$2,600.00

SKU: DN141 Categories: , , ,

Description

Long ago, after birth, a baby’s kupai (umbilical cord) was immediately buried by an uncle (if the baby was a boy) or by an auntie or grandmother (if the baby was a girl). This momentous event was always celebrated with a special ceremony. The burial location of a baby’s umbilical cord was always within its clan’s boundaries and this ritual signified an ongoing connection with the child’s place of birth. Disputes over land ownership were always settled by establishing the umbilical cord locations of the parties involved. The word kupai also means ‘handing down responsibilities and power’. Upon reaching an advanced age, a leader might say, “My kupai has gone”.

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Additional information

Weight 3 kg
Dimensions 105 × 16 × 16 cm
Medium

Etching

Artist

Dennis Nona

Image Size

Paper

Paper Size

Published

Edition Size

45

Studio

Under The House Of Art Brisbane, QLD

Printer

David Jones and Tadeusz Jacek Rybinski

Region

Torres Strait Islands

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