Ritual Jewellery Amulets, pendants and earrings, known as mamuli, are worn as ritual jewellery in eastern Indonesia. Varying in size, shape, decoration and name, mamuli are potent symbols of wealth and status across the region. Majestic gold mamuli are often preserved as sacred ritual clan treasures. Other simpler heirloom mamuli are exchanged between families as bride price payments. Metals, such as silver and gold, melted and cast from foreign coins, are classified as ‘masculine’ and ‘hot’ in the world-view of eastern Indonesian cultures. Conversely, the open oval shape of the mamuli is similar to the female reproductive organ. The mamuli is known as a symbol of fertility, combining both masculine and feminine attributes. I do not agree with this introduction written by the museum staff at the NW Regional Museum of Australia. I am writing a paper to counter their theory. The Mamuli on the left is in the museum collection. The mamuli to the right is mine. I am sure mine was made in the 19th century if not earlier.
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 18:28:29 +0000
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