Awakening the search for cultural identity By MELINDA TUPLING ON March 31, 2012, Marsat and Patrick Newman and Raymond Poipoi participated in a comingof-age initiation ceremony in Bamaga in the presence of uncles and older men from the community. The initiation ceremony is an important stage of the life of a young male clan member. On the day of the ceremony, the young initiate is called “Kerngay Kazi” and his Uncles are called “Maway” and are the mothers’ brothers. Knowing genealogy is very important as the participants must be blood-related. In the past these ceremonies were performed away from the presence of women and the whole village. In the 1800s, lots of practices such as these were banned and the knowledge went underground, although some Islander communities still practised, but not to a great extent. Jeff Waia of Saibai Island, who is of the Ait Koedal clan, says in the modern day, Islanders are awakening their search to find their true identity and practices, and such initiations are again finding their rightful place in communities. “In order to interpret one’s self, the Totemic Islander must know the original languages,” Mr Waia said. “Yes, we adapt to suit today’s society, but we must also make it meaningful for the young Kerngay Kazi. “The ceremony performed is one of the main stages on the process of ‘Minalay Waku’, the mat of speciality, respect and
royalty. “The Minalay Waku process is practised throughout Oceanic cultures. “We, the Islanders believe that upon a mat the child is born, initiated, marriage takes place and important community decisions are made, then finally our loved ones are put to rest under the ground upon this mat.” Mr Waia said on the day of the ceremony, the initiates spent most of the morning with women folk and important female caregivers. “This symbolises the final time the young boy will eat and sit on his mother’s lap,” Mr Waia said. “The male and female groups are not allowed to see each other. “The initiations rituals take place on the main Maway’s residence or at a place of clans’ importance.” “When the time is right, the Maway will take the Kerngay Kazi out of his mother’s lap and led him to a specially built hut, Koedalaw Thikathik, the “House of the crocodile”. The rituals in the Kod then take place around the Piti Muykun fire. “All the Maway is wearing the material wakaw around their waist,” Mr Waia said. “Older men outside the Kod will continuously sing crocodile chants and songs of Sager Gub. “Upon the completion of the ritual the Kerndgay Kazi is rubbed with coconut oil and Mai Shell is put around his neck. “The headdress Dhoery or
Bamaga boy on several charges A 15-YEAR-OLD Bamaga boy has been remanded in custody after a serious sexual assault. The boy has been c h a rg e d w i t h f i v e
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Maway (Uncles) Michael Babia (left) and Robert Poipoi (right) lead Marsat Newman, Patrick Newman and Raymond Poipoi in the initiation ceremony in Bamaga recently. PHOTO: SARAH LUI Samu is tied on his head and a grass skirt is worn around his waist. “As the boys take the transformation to a young man of Ait Koedal, the women folks prepare themselves to receive the men. “A minalay waku is spread and women lay face down as the young men walk upon the back of the women.” Mr Waia siad the posture of lowering oneself symbolised the respect and the acknowledgement of the Torres Strait male dominant culture. “It demonstrates the labour
and burden of carrying and nurturing a male child to adulthood,” he said. “The wap (dugong/turtle spear) is presented to the Kerngay Kazi to symbolise that the young man is now independent. “He is now equipped to take care of himself and his family later in life. “Finally, the young man will sit amongst older men and perform the coconut drinking ceremony. “The night is enjoyed with feasting, Island dancing and singing.”
Beat the ‘flu with a quick jab QUEENSLAND Health is encouraging people to get immunised for this year’s ‘flu season. Chief health officer Jeannette Young says anyone over the age of six months who is not severely allergic to vaccine ingredients can be immunised. “This reliable and safe vaccine is available to prevent people getting the ‘flu,” Dr Young said. “Annual vaccination against influenza reduces the chances of catching the ‘flu and the severity of it if you do contract it. “It’s especially important for people in ‘at risk’ groups to be vaccinated which is why Queensland Health provides free ‘flu immunisation
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JUST THE SHOT: Nurse Hayley Walton and health workers Diai Luffman and Margo Mills ready to give flu vaccinations outside the Primary Health Centre on Thursday Island last week. PHOTO: MARK ROY for the elderly, pregnant is roughly on par with women, Indigenous the average number of people aged over 15 notifications for this time and those at risk due to of year. medical conditions such But Dr Young said as heart and respiratory that was no reason to diseases.” become complacent More than 400 cases about guarding against of influenza have been the virus. recorded in Queensland “Influenza is a highly since January 1, which contagious and poten-
tially serious disease that can be spread through coughing and sneezing,” Dr Young said. She said this year’s vaccine was based on virus strains circulating in the northern hemisphere, including the influenza A H3N2 strain, influenza A H1N1 and an influenza B strain. Queensland health workers and nurses are currently based outside the Primary Health Centre on Thursday Island and the IBIS Supermarket on Douglas Street, giving vaccinations to those at risk. Vaccination is also available through GPs, Aboriginal medical services and other immunisation providers. Queensland Health is providing more informa-
tion about influenza, how to prevent its spread and vaccination for Queenslanders and their families at: www.health. qld.gov.au/flu/ Regularly updated data is available at: www. health.qld.gov.au/ph/cdb/ sru_influenza.asp
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