2 AM 3872/06
Jimmy Ngalakum Lorrkon, Hollow Log 2006
Stringybark (eucalyptus tetradonta) with ochre pigment & PVC fixative 1390 x 240mm $4200
The Lorrkon or bone pole coffin ceremony was the final ceremony in a sequence of mortuary rituals celebrated by
the people of Arnhem Land. This ceremony involves the placing of the deceased’s bones into a hollow log until it
slowly decayed over many years.

The log is made from a termite hollowed Stringy bark tree (Eucalyptus tetradonta) and is decorated with totemic
emblems.

The western Arnhem Land version of the Lorrkon ceremony involves the singing of sacred songs to the
accompaniment of Karlikarli, a pair of sacred boomerangs used as rhythm instruments.

During the final evening of the ceremony, dancers decorate themselves with kapok down, or today, cotton wool
and conduct much of the final segments of the ceremony in the secrecy of a restricted men’s’ camp. The
complete ceremony may stretch over a period of two weeks, but on the last night the bones of the deceased, which
have been kept in a bark container or today wrapped in cloth and kept in a suitcase are taken out, are painted with
red ochre and placed inside the hollow log. This ceremony may take place many years after the person has died.

At first light on the final morning of the Lorrkon ceremony, the men appear, coming out of their secret bush
camp carrying the pole towards the women’s camp. The two groups call to each other using distinct ceremonial
calls. The women have prepared a hole for the pole to be placed into and when it is stood upright, women in
particular kinship relationships to the deceased dance around the pole in a jumping/shuffling motion. The Lorrkon
is then often covered with a tarpaulin and left slowly to decay.