Kikem Sirwarr Nam ra Terei

Kikem Sirwarr Nam ra Terei translates as (Celebrations for the capture of the first female mating turtle). Since time immemorial the traditional custom of my Torres Strait Islander people (Ged Buaigiz) is to celebrate when a hunter captures the first female mating turtle. When this occurs each year, all the other villages go to the hunter's village and celebrate there. In my painting a young hunter is honoured in a double celebration not only for capturing the first mating female turtle of the season, but it is his first big turtle. He was assisted by his two Aua (mother's brothers) according to Torres Strait Islander laws and customs. This is to strengthen family ties between his mothers and father's families.