Riji, pearlshells

Bardi call the shell riji, referring to the design carved in the jakoli or raw pearl shell. Traditionally, lonka-lonka, a shell carved to a narrow fingernail shape, were tied to the top of the riji shell and rattled as the man wearing it walked. This sound brings great joy to the community as it means real men are coming through. 'These shells are what the young men wear on the third last stage of their initiation. After the final stage, he is allowed to be with his promised wife. The whole initiation process from boyhood to manhood takes about 8–10 years and involves many stages. The first stage of the Arnkooy Ceremony is Niyamniyam, when the people decide the young boy is ready for law. Then comes Layanyarr, which involves his brothers-in-law painting him with fat, and taking him to the law ground for ceremony, after which he is is called Balil. When they are in Oolooloong Ceremony, the second ceremony of initiation, they are called Joodoor and when the ceremony ends they are Jamoonoonggoorr. When they get hand strings in the next Oolooloong Ceremony they become Gambil boys. After about a year they become Roonggoorr; they are about 15–16 years of age and they wear eagle feathers in their hair. Next is Boongan, which is for a young man who has been through law and has a hairbelt and pearlshell put on him. He then waits for the red paint stage (about 2–3 years), called Ilyboorr, and he is now a man and is free to marry. After this he is called Maambangan.'—Aubrey Tigan © Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory