Archaeology of the Waiat mysteries on Woeydhul Island in Western Torres Strait

Duncan Wright, Sofia C. Samper Carro, Ladislav Nejman, Glenn Van Der Kolk, Mirani Litster, Michelle C. Langley, Rachel Wood, Iona Claringbold, Cygnet Repu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Secret societies, involving restricted and hierarchically organised initiation rituals, are conspicuous in the chronicles of many past and present societies. These rarely leave a substantial written record and yet archaeology can provide vivid insight into past performances, for example in relation to Roman 'mystery cults'. Far less research, however, has focused on Australia and the Pacific Islands. This article presents archaeological evidence for ceremonies practised on Woeydhul Island in the Western Torres Strait, exploring initiation rituals at the cusp of contemporary memory. By doing so, it provides a detailed and long-term history for Torres Strait Islander secret societies and ritual activities involving dugong bone mounds, stone arrangements and worked stingray spines.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)791-811
Number of pages21
JournalAntiquity
Volume95
Issue number381
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Australia
  • culture hero
  • secret societies
  • Torres Strait
  • Waiat
  • Woeydhul

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