Performance and Minamai: A Minamar NA Tutana Ma Loloi
When
10.45am – 12.00pm, Sat 24 Nov 2018Where
Gallery of Modern Art & Foyer
About
A special ceremony to launch Minamar na Tutana ma Loloi (Display of Tutana and Loloi (shell money rings)) created by the Gunantuna (Tolai people) of East New Britain in Papua New Guinea specially for APT9. Join members of the East New Britain Queensland Community Group and artist representatives as they demonstrate the cultural significance of Diwarra (shell money) through song, dance and a ceremony, known as a Minamai. The Minamai is a mourning ceremony through which the Gunantuna honor their dead through the breaking and distribution of Loloi (rings of shell money). This Minamai is dedicated to the late Gideon Kakabin who was the lead artist for this work and who sadly passed away soon after it completed. Family members will join QAGOMA staff and local community members to pay respect to Gideon and launch this final, majestic expression of his beloved Gunantuna culture.