| Place | Oceania: Australia, Queensland, North Queensland, Torres Strait |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ART94619 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Overall: 13.8 x 68.5 x 49.5 cm |
| Object type | Headdress |
| Physical description | Wood; Paint; Metal; String |
| Maker |
Williams, Dick |
| Place made | Australia: Queensland, North Queensland, Torres Strait |
| Date made | 2004 |
| Conflict |
Period 2000-2009 Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Unlicensed copyright |
Badu Island Aeroplane dance headdress: American B-25 Mitchell bomber
Description
Unmounted wooden airplane styled to resemble a Mitchell bomber, painted green with faux American markings.
This detailed aircraft replica is the contemporary feature of the ceremonial headdresses worn by the Goigai Pudhai dance group in the performance of Airplane Dance. It was presented to the Memorial after a performance by the group was held to celebrate the opening of 'Australia Under Attack 1942-1943'.
While Torres Strait Islander headdresses usually depict totemic animals and sea-creatures, during the Second World War a number were constructed of military aircrafts. This came as a response to the RAAF base that was built on Ngurupai (Horn Island) in 1941 which made aircraft activity a familiar sight for the surrounding communities. James Eseli, a senior Kala Lagaw Ya elder, was renowned for his choreography of the airplane dance and for making these headdresses. This headdress is a contemporary interpretation made by Badu Islander Dick Williams.