![Australian Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) artwork by FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) of Omie Artists. The title is Mahudan’e, mahu an’e ohu’o nyoni han’e - Pig tusks, pig teeth and Dahorurajé clan emblem of the fern leaf. [12-204] (Ink on Schoolbook Paper)](https://media.redotgallery.com/stockroom/gallery/m/mahudane-mahu-ane-ohuo-nyoni-hane-pig-tusks-pig-teeth-and-dahorurajc3a9-clan-emblem-of-the-fern-5529.png)
FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) (dec)
12-204
Ink on Schoolbook Paper
Mahudan’e, mahu an’e ohu’o nyo… | 12-204
Ink on Schoolbook Paper
22.5 x 17cm | 8.86 x 6.69in (irregular)
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In 2012 at Gora Art Centre, Fate Savari presented a schoolbook she had obtained from her granddaughter. It was filled from front to back with drawings about her ancestral Ömie stories (including the Ömie creation story), histories, culture and clan designs. There were also some loose pages in the front and back of the schoolbook and more drawings on paper wrapped up in a larger drawing on paper. Fate created the book and drawings because she felt a great urgency to record her profound knowledge before she passed away. This is one of the special drawings from that first presentation of drawings.
This is an old Dahorurajé clan design. The ‘trees’ are sprouting mahudan’e (pig’s tusks) and mahu ane bios’e (pig’s teeth). Pig’s tusks and teeth are the traditional form of wealth for Ömie tribespeople and are often used for brideprice ceremonies. Bare trees are erected in the village amoré (central danceground) to display the brideprice gifts for marriage ceremonies. The “trees” are also displaying hin’e baje ohu’o han’e, the fruit and leaves of the mustard plant which are used to dip into the lime gourd and aids in the chewing of betelnut, a very important Ömie social custom known as hai’ue.
Between the tress is the design of the leaves of the fern, called nyoni han’e. The nyoni fern is an important plant symbol for the Dahorurajé clan.