Skip to main content
Skip to footer Skip to Acknowledgement of Country
National Gallery of Australia
What's On Art & Artists Visit
Login
  1. Home
  2. First Nations
  3. The Aboriginal Memorial
  4. Burial Ceremonies

Burial Ceremonies

Hollow Log or Bone Coffin Mortuary Ceremony

A photograph showing a section of an installation of 200 painted hollow logs standing upright in a large gallery space. The surrounding walls are painted in a dark colour and the logs are positioned on a navy plinth shaped to resemble both sides of a river bank.

Ramingining artists, Djon Mundine, Bandjalung people, The Aboriginal Memorial, 1987–88, purchased with the assistance of funds from National Gallery admission charges and commissioned in 1987


Tall black pole with white and red ochre human and spirit figures

Gela Nga-Mirraitja Fordham Wainburranga, Rembarrnga people, Large white spirit figure and other spirit figures, 1987-88, purchased with the assistance of funds from National Gallery admission charges and commissioned in 1987.

The Aboriginal Memorial installation is inspired by the hollow log or bone coffin mortuary ceremony of Central Arnhem Land. Most commonly known as the Dupun ceremony, it is also known, according to language, as Lorrkon, Djalumbu, Badurru, Mudukundja, Mululu and Larajeje. Though similar to Indigenous burial practices in other parts of Australia, the hollow log ceremony is unique to Arnhem Land. The purpose of the ceremony is to ensure the safe arrival of the spirit of the deceased on its perilous journey from the earth to the land of the dead.

Burial practices of indigenous Australians in other parts of Australia include the Pukumani ritual of the Tiwi people and ceremonies using burial platforms and carved trees.

Traditionally, when a person in Arnhem Land dies the body is ritually painted with relevant totemic designs, sung over and mourned. It is then taken to the deceased's clan land, and is either buried or placed on a platform in a tree and left to decompose. The bones are recovered later (this can be months or even years later) and a hollow log ceremony is performed.

A tree trunk, naturally hollowed out by termites, is cut down, cleaned and, in a ceremonial camp, is painted with the clan's totemic designs. The bones of the deceased are painted with red ochre and, during special dances, placed inside the log. The larger bones and skull are broken before being inserted. The coffin is danced into the main camp, placed upright and the final songs and dances performed. It is then left to the elements, and the burial cycle is complete.

At no time did the log coffins in the Memorial contain bones, nor were they used in a mortuary ceremony. Like other sculptures by indigenous Australians, shown in galleries, they were made as works of art for public display.


Related


National Gallery of Australia

A white rectangle with the National Gallery logo in black in the centre. The logo says 'NGA' in styled geometric block letters that form an inverse triangle shape.
Touring Exhibition

Ever Present
First Peoples Art of Australia

On Tour

National Gallery Singapore
27 May – 25 Sept 2022

Drawn from the national collection and Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art.

Learning

National Visual Art Education Conference Schedule

The 2022 National Visual Art Education Conference presents a program of active and activating learning experiences that challenge and empower.

The Aboriginal Memorial

Arnhem Land

A section of the aboriginal memorial poles in close up

The Aboriginal Memorial is a seminal work by the First Nations people of Arnhem Land, encompassing the deep connection between community and country

Special Event

Judy Watson & Helen Johnson In Conversation
Reconciliation Week

Past Event
Two women sit on a timber bench, within a gallery space, surrounded by paintings and work of art suspended from the ceiling and walls

Thu 2 Jun 2022, 6–7pm AEST

Wheelchair Accessible Auslan Interpretation Open Captioning
Special Event

Singing in The Aboriginal Memorial
Reconciliation Week

Past Event

Wed 1 Jun 2022, 10.30–11.30am

Wheelchair Accessible
Go back to start of main content
Go to top of page

Yuuma, Gurruburri

The National Gallery acknowledges the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Kamberri/Canberra region, and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community and Country.

  • National Gallery On Demand
  • Art & Artists
  • What's On
  • Visit
  • Membership
  • Donate
  • Jobs
  • About Us

Connect

+61 2 6240 6411
information@nga.gov.au
Get art in your inbox

Open every day

(except Christmas day)
10am – 5pm

Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Parkes Place East, Parkes ACT 2600

View Street Map
View Gallery Map


Contact us

National Gallery of Australia

Follow the National gallery of Australia on:

  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Website Privacy Website Disclaimer Website Copyright
Opening Acknowledgment of Country

The National Gallery acknowledges the First Peoples of this land and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community and Country

Learn More
birds-eye view photograph of bushland
    • View All
    • Today
    • Exhibitions
    • Access Programs
    • All Programs
    • On Demand
    • About the Collection
    • Sculpture Garden
    • Kenneth E. Tyler Collection
    • Provenance
    • Conservation
    • Copyright
    • Search the Collection
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Getting Here
    • Parking & Transport
    • Art Store
    • Dining
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Research Library & Archives
    • Admission tickets
    • Browse Stories
    • Browse Videos
    • Artonview Magazine
    • Podcasts
    • Audio Tours
    • Virtual Tours
    • Learning Programs
    • For People with Access Needs
    • For Teachers & Students
    • For Young People
    • For Kids & Families
    • For Adults
    • For Your Community
    • Art Cases
    • Educator Programs
    • Get Involved
    • Membership
    • Voluntary Guides
    • Partnerships
    • Support
    • Donate
  • First Nations
  • Access
  • Art Store
  • Media
  • Venue Hire
  • About Us