The Pukumani mortuary ceremony originated from the funeral rites performed after the death of Purukupali's son Jinani. Purukupali established these rites before walking into the sea to his own death, decreeing that all Tiwi must honour their dead with proper ceremony.
The elaborate Pukumani funeral rites of the Tiwi Islands serve in part to protect the dead from the Papinijuwari, who feast on improperly treated corpses and drink the blood of the dying.
We use cookies to understand how you use our site and improve your experience. Learn more