Schist Tjurunga
Name/Title
Schist TjurungaEntry/Object ID
E-155Description
A schist plaque engraved with five concentric circles and serpentine multiline figure. Rubbed with ochre. Opposite side has three concentric circles linked by short horizontal lines, indicating the cardinal directions.Context
In Central Australia, clans had secret cults that would carve plaques on schist. These were called Tjurunga (also spelled churinga). The tjurunga is periodically rubbed with red ochre while the meanings of the motifs are explained to the newly initiated. See the link below for more information.Collection
El Camino College Anthropology MuseumCategory
Ethnography
Anthropology
Acquisition
Accession
08.1.6Ethnography
Cultural Region
Continent
OceaniaCulture/Tribe
Australian Aborigines