CARLTON captain Kerryn Peterson joined Natalie Plane, a proud Kamilaroi woman, in a gift exchange as part of the Blues’ Indigenous Round celebrations on the weekend.
Taking place at the coin toss pre-game, the Blues gifted Port Adelaide a Pukumani Pole, designed by proud Tiwi woman Russellina Puruntatameri.
The Pukumani Poles are part of a major ceremony of great significance to the Tiwi culture.
The Pukumani ceremony is the culmination of ritual mourning for a deceased person. Several months after the burial, family commission in-laws of the deceased to carve and decorate elaborate tutini.
These are then placed at the gravesite during a showy performance of song and dance, and tunga (bark bags) are placed upside down on top of the poles to signify the end of life.
Puruntatameri developed her artistic skills from family, creating her designs to highlight the importance of keeping the Tiwi culture strong for future generations.
In return, Carlton received a coolaman and emu egg from Port Adelaide.
The coolaman is a multi-purpose dish, used to carry water, fruits, nuts, and other bush tucker. The Emu egg, known as muki-kari, marks the centre of the milky way. The male emu looks after the muki-kari, much like the male footballers have nurtured the game before a new journey for the women has begun.
The Blues and Dockers will also exchange gifts in the second instalment of Indigenous Round for season seven, with Puruntatameri once again designing the gift from the Blues.
