Did You Know

1. The ‘Magic Stone’ that Mason Judy finds is most likely a ‘Tjuringa’ –this is an Arrernte term for sacred objects which can include stones, tools and paintings. Often the stones are incised or painted. These stones can be used in rituals to represent ancestral beings, can represent the current owner (and are then passed on after the owner’s passing). They may also be used as a talisman to keep the owner safe. Due to their perceived power they are treated with a great deal of respect and care. They are often kept in sacred caves and only authorised people are allowed to see or handle the stones. Traditionally, being careless and allowing a stone to break, or allowing an unauthorised person to handle the stones could be punished with death. Many of these stones have been stolen and have made their ways into private collections or museums since colonisation. (Horton, D (ED) (1994) The Encyclopaedia of Aboriginal Australia : Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History, Society and Culture Aboriginal Studies Press: Canberra p.1080)