The house-opening ceremony performed at Aurukun is derived from traditional mortuary rites, but European and Torres Strait Island elements are now combined with these in a ceremony which at times assumes the atmosphere of a party. Traditionally, when someone died their house was burned, but with the advent of European-style housing this practice became impractical and the house-opening was developed as a means of ritually purifying the house so that the family may re-inhabit it.
How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
303310
Language
English
Subject categories
Aboriginal Australia → Aboriginal Australians - Queensland
Aboriginal Australia → Aboriginal Australians - Rites and ceremonies
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Aurukun (Qld.)
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Funeral rites and ceremonies
Documentary → Documentary films - Australia
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Acculturation
Educational & Instructional → Educational films
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Acculturation
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Funeral rites and ceremonies
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
16mm film; Access Print (Section 1)