Dance Headdress - Dhari
Production date
01 Jan 1988-31 Dec 1988
Country
Australia
State/Province
Queensland
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Object detail
Description
Dance headdress - Dhari, made from cane and feathers.
Maker
Production date
01 Jan 1988-31 Dec 1988
Production place
Measurements
H655 x W445mm
Media/Materials description
Feathers, cane
History and use
The Dhari is the distinctive traditional dance and ceremonial headdress of the Torres Strait. It is the central motif on the region's flag and symbolises the identity and unity of all Torres Strait Islanders.
Dhari is the Meriam Mir word for 'headdress' and is used in the eastern islands. In the central and western islands where Kala Lagaw Ya is spoken, the headdress is called Dhoeri. Customarily worn and made by males, dhari designs vary from island to island.
Dharis/Dhoeris were traditionally made from Frigate Bird and Torres Strait Pigeon feathers but are now made from a wide and often creative range of materials including heavy cardboard, plywood, chicken feathers and cane.
When wearing dharis at night for performances, the dancers shake their heads to vibrate the spokes, causing a brilliant shimmering effect, described as being like the glint of a pearl shell dropped in water.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
Dhari is the Meriam Mir word for 'headdress' and is used in the eastern islands. In the central and western islands where Kala Lagaw Ya is spoken, the headdress is called Dhoeri. Customarily worn and made by males, dhari designs vary from island to island.
Dharis/Dhoeris were traditionally made from Frigate Bird and Torres Strait Pigeon feathers but are now made from a wide and often creative range of materials including heavy cardboard, plywood, chicken feathers and cane.
When wearing dharis at night for performances, the dancers shake their heads to vibrate the spokes, causing a brilliant shimmering effect, described as being like the glint of a pearl shell dropped in water.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
Registration number
QE11495
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