Grass skirt (zazi)
Production date
Pre 1957
Country
Australia
State/Province
Queensland
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Object detail
Description
Grass fibre skirt, known as 'Zazi'.
Classification
INDIGENOUS CULTURES Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dress
Production date
Pre 1957
Production place
Measurements
L 750 x W 660 mm
History and use
Originally the primary traditional dress of both men and women in Torres Strait communities, grass skirts such as this are worn for ceremonial occasions. They play an important part in performance aspects of the community, and the communication of knowledge and traditions through culturally significant song and dance. Dances, songs, costumes and props used during such festivities help community members pass on important information and knowledge about survival, status, social structure and tradition through performance. Known as ‘zazi’, these skirts were worn by both men and women.
This bag was gifted to the donor, Lorna Mead, from a woman selling material culture along the wharf area on Thursday Island around 1957-1958. The donor was a passenger on MV, Waiben – a cargo and passenger vessel travelling from Brisbane to Thursday Island on a regular basis between 1957 and1964. The bag was then donated to the Museum of Tropical Queensland by Lorna Mead in 2017.
This bag was gifted to the donor, Lorna Mead, from a woman selling material culture along the wharf area on Thursday Island around 1957-1958. The donor was a passenger on MV, Waiben – a cargo and passenger vessel travelling from Brisbane to Thursday Island on a regular basis between 1957 and1964. The bag was then donated to the Museum of Tropical Queensland by Lorna Mead in 2017.
Associated person
Registration number
QE26911
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