The Bullroarer Atlas

Records by area · 260 records

Bullroarer records — Oceania

Bullroarer record pages from Oceania, grouped by present-day country. Each page keeps the record text, source line, image credit, and a link back to the same point on the interactive map.

Shared traditions: Australia · New Guinea · Sahul · Melanesia · Southeastern Australia · Huon, Waria and the Vitiaz Strait · Torres Strait · Central Australia · Western Desert · Purari delta · Elema coast · Marind country and the Trans-Fly

Australia 19

  1. Bubu, the cry in the woodsLake Macquarie / Newcastle · Restricted
  2. Bon'da'ban, the ceremonial noisemakerSunshine Coast–Noosa / Mary River · Sacred / spirit
  3. Keriri novice hidden in the bushKeriri (Hammond Island), Prince of Wales / Muralug group, western Torres Strait, Queensland · Restricted
  4. The message he ignoredGerard / Jalukari reference · Sacred / spirit
  5. Yantamakaddya going, wambinggulli returningDarling River, Bourke–Tilpa reach · Restricted
  6. Papapa's stolen bullroarerSouth and west of Diyari country / northern Lake Torrens · Sacred / spirit
  7. Mabuiag turtle and garden biguSacred / spirit
  8. A song to make the bullroarerAitjilara / Hatches Creek; recorded at MacDonald Downs · Function not recorded
  9. Spinning at MacDonald Downs, 1980MacDonald Downs · Function not recorded
  10. Mer / Murray Island boys' toy bullroarerPlay / practical
  11. Mer rain-making bullroarer (bigo)Mer (Murray Island), Eastern Islands, Torres Strait, Queensland · Weather / fertility magic
  12. Moa (Mua) IslandersMoa (Mua / Banks) Island, western Torres Strait, Queensland · Weather / fertility magic
  13. Muralug waness bullroarerRestricted
  14. Telling the spirits we are hereMyall Creek Station memorial · Sacred / spirit
  15. Boolpee behind the returning lineNew England Tableland, Moonbi–Ben Lomond–Walcha–Bundarra/Inverell belt · Restricted
  16. Nukunu wiithanhaEastern Spencer Gulf / Port Germein–Mount Remarkable · Sacred / spirit
  17. Wallaby-fur cord, whirlwind markingsCentral Australia / historic South Australia attribution · Function not recorded
  18. Sacred motif on a pale clothCentral Australia · Sacred / spirit
  19. Bigu of the yams and the turtleYam (Iama) Island, central Torres Strait; territory of the Kulkalgal central-island people (Yam paired with neighbouring Tutu) · Weather / fertility magic

Cook Islands 1

  1. Aitutaki patangitangi leaflet bullroarerAitutaki · Play / practical

Indonesia 14

  1. Armati bark spirit-warning bullroarerNoord-Nieuw-Guinea (Dutch New Guinea), Sarmi hinterland · Restricted
  2. Bian, twirled so women hideNorthwest Asmat, South Papua · Restricted
  3. Dugum Dani aneivu-aneivu toy bullroarerGrand Valley of the Balim River, West New Guinea / West Irian · Play / practical
  4. Payu, voice of the deadMimika regency, South Papua · Restricted
  5. Incised Kanum slat for the sosom feastSouth Papua (Merauke area) · Sacred / spirit
  6. Wap, taught by the serpent motherKamtuk country on the Genyem to west Sentani road, and the Nimboran (Grime) plain, Jayapura Regency, Papua · Sacred / spirit
  7. Kimam (Kolepom / Frederik-Hendrik Island)Frederik-Hendrik Island (Pulau Yos Sudarso / Kolepom), south coast · Restricted
  8. Mandobo tenotkok bullroarer (Wakeriop)Wakeriop (modern Kampung Maju, Arimop District), between the Digul and Kao rivers, Boven Digoel, South Papua / historic Netherlands New Guinea · Restricted
  9. Marcer-anim Sosom bladesDutch South New Guinea, Torassi (Bensbach) River · Restricted
  10. Marind-anim Dema-voice bullroarersDutch South New Guinea / South Papua · Restricted
  11. Two Marind-anim rhombes, blade and discIrian Jaya collection context · Sacred / spirit
  12. Mombum / Komolom Island bullroarerKomolom Island (south of Yos Sudarso / Kolepom) · Function not recorded
  13. Muyu mulin bullroarer, Upper Kao-DigulMuyu / Upper Kao-Digul / historic Netherlands New Guinea · Restricted
  14. Yei-nan (Yei / Yey)Upper Maro River, Merauke regency, near the PNG border · Restricted

Indonesia (Papua) 1

  1. Boven-Bian Marind (Ezam cult)Upper Bian River, kampong Mandoem, Merauke · Restricted

Indonesia / Papua New Guinea (catalogue gives both) 1

  1. West Papuan clay-filled bullroarer trioWest Papua (catalogue provenance "Indonesia / Papua New Guinea, West Papua", all elements flagged uncertain) · Function not recorded

Indonesia / Papua New Guinea borderlands 1

  1. Kaya-Kaya Tugeri Sosom bullroarerDutch New Guinea near British territory · Restricted

New Caledonia (France) 1

  1. Maré’s spinning-board gameLoyalty Islands / Mare · Play / practical

New Zealand 4

  1. Māori pūrerehua bullroarerAotearoa / New Zealand · Sacred / spirit
  2. Ngati Porou (turorohu rain rite)East Cape / Waiapu Valley, North Island · Weather / fertility magic
  3. Pig Bay notched bone bladec. 1400–1500 AD · Pig Bay / Motutapu Island / Hauraki Gulf · Play / practical
  4. Whanganui (huhū, the buzzing toy)Whanganui River district, west-central North Island · Play / practical

New Zealand (Chatham Islands) 1

  1. Moriori carved whalebone bladec. AD 1400–1901 · Okawa near Kaingaroa, Chatham Island · Function not recorded

Palau 1

  1. Pulo Anna (Pur) zorien bullroarerSouthwest Islands / Pulo Anna (Pur), Sonsorol State · Function not recorded

Papua New Guinea 196

  1. Abelam (incl. Maprik)East Sepik · Restricted
  2. AgarabiEastern Highlands · Restricted
  3. Aimei Kiwai Kaiaimuru bullroarerGulf Province / lower Era River · Restricted
  4. Anga trio still bound togetherPapua New Guinea / Morobe Province · Sacred / spirit
  5. Upper Watut bark-fibre bullroarerOceania -> Melanesia -> Papua New Guinea, East New Guinea Upper Watut River · Restricted
  6. Akwi-ó of the nose-piercing riteMorobe–Gulf fringe (Anga) · Restricted
  7. Angaataha ancestral-presence bullroarerAngan language region · Restricted
  8. Ankave imo’o spirit speechSouthern Anga territory, northernmost Gulf Province at the Morobe / Eastern Highlands junction (Suowi-Mbwei Valley) · Restricted
  9. Ilahita voice of LefinEast Sepik · Restricted
  10. Astrolabe BayMadang · Restricted
  11. Aua Island Schwirrholz toy bullroarerManus / Western Islands (Aua) · Play / practical
  12. Auyana bullroarer old-man spirit voiceEastern Highlands / Anga-Eastern Highlands men's cult zone · Restricted
  13. AvatipEast Sepik · Restricted
  14. Awa mahbi initiation roarerMobuta River Awa / Eastern Family language region · Restricted
  15. Bagabag IslandMadang · Restricted
  16. BainingEast New Britain · Restricted
  17. Baluan IslandManus · Function not recorded
  18. BanaroEast Sepik · Restricted
  19. Baramura blade, Méte’s first swingLower Fly River, Western Province · Sacred / spirit
  20. BariaiWest New Britain · Restricted
  21. Baruya spirit arrows summon helpersEastern Highlands / Anga-Eastern Highlands men's cult zone · Restricted
  22. BaskenMadang · Restricted
  23. Bena Bena pig-festival revelationEastern Highlands / Bena Bena valley · Restricted
  24. Half-metre Bensbach blade, two fingers wideWestern Province (Morehead) · Function not recorded
  25. Bia-WariaMorobe · Restricted
  26. Biliau (Rai Coast)Biliau, Rai Coast (Madang, near Saidor) · Function not recorded
  27. BinandereNorthern · Restricted
  28. Binumarien roarer without flutesEastern Family language region · Restricted
  29. Boazi (Boadzi / Kuni / Zimakani)Lake Murray and its central/northern shores plus the middle reaches of the Fly River, Western Province (southern lowlands) · Restricted
  30. BoikenEast Sepik · Restricted
  31. Bola Bakovi tuvura bullroarerWillaumez / Talasea Peninsula / West New Britain / New Pommern · Sacred / spirit
  32. Bongu blade pointed at both endsRai Coast, Madang (Astrolabe B · Restricted
  33. Borli/Boli (Waria watershed)Borli/Boli (Waria watershed) · Restricted
  34. Luana murup of the Lower RamuMelanesia, Papua New Guinea · Function not recorded
  35. Buang roarer among the seed yamsSnake River valley (Mapos), Bulolo District, Morobe Province · Sacred / spirit
  36. Buin (incl. Telei, Uisai)Bougainville · Restricted
  37. BukaBougainville · Restricted
  38. Banko lanqua, Banko the OldMorobe (former German New Guinea / Nordost-Neuguinea) · Restricted
  39. Bukawa / YabimMorobe · Restricted
  40. Bunu village Schwirrholz (MARKK 4497 I)Morobe Province / Finschhafen hinterland · Function not recorded
  41. Burum-Mindik esöŋ bullroarerBurum and Mindik valleys, inland southern Huon Peninsula, Morobe Province · Restricted
  42. BusamaMorobe · Restricted
  43. Bush Kaliai Varku bullroarer tambaranKaliai bush, Kove/Kaliai Rural LLG, West New Britain · Restricted
  44. Cape CretinMorobe · Sacred / spirit
  45. Palimbei monumental Iatmul bullroarerMiddle Sepik / Palimbei (Parambei; Bragge: Parembei; historic catalog: Palimbai II) · Restricted
  46. ChambriEast Sepik · Restricted
  47. Dagoi Dagu bullroarerDagoi / Dagu / Bogia District / Madang Province · Sacred / spirit
  48. Dom / SinasinaChimbu · Restricted
  49. Duo YangoruEast Sepik · Restricted
  50. EklepWest New Britain · Restricted
  51. Elema: GeneralGulf · Restricted
  52. Waglla, voice of the first wordsBituri River, South Fly District, Western Province (Pahoturi River language area; Ende villages Limol, Malam and Kinkin) · Sacred / spirit
  53. Wabag blade with a carved headEnga Province / Wabag · Function not recorded
  54. Evaora bullroarer charm, Panaroa River / Port RomillyPanaroa (Ivey) River / Port Romilly, Gulf Province · Weather / fertility magic
  55. FinschhafenMorobe · Restricted
  56. Sosom, the giant's voiceFly River / Western Province · Restricted
  57. Gadsup returning-grandparents voiceEastern Highlands / Kainantu-Gadsup area · Restricted
  58. Gambadi thowatti, KwavaruWestern · Restricted
  59. Gazelle: GeneralEast New Britain · Play / practical
  60. Gende children's toy bullroarerBismarck Ranges · Play / practical
  61. Goaribari board with a carved faceGoaribari, Gulf Province (Kikori delta) · Function not recorded
  62. Gogodala planting roarer, scorched with figuresWestern Province (Aramia River · Weather / fertility magic
  63. Guhu-SamaneMorobe · Restricted
  64. Gulf of Papua initiation bullroarerGulf of Papua / British New Guinea · Restricted
  65. Gulf Province eleven-bullroarer seriesGulf Province (no district or village recorded) · Restricted
  66. Halia röko behind the beiBougainville · Restricted
  67. HubeMorobe · Function not recorded
  68. Hunjara / Koko wowow initiation bullroarerYodda Valley / Kokoda / Kumusi Division · Restricted
  69. Huon Gulf (General)Morobe · Restricted
  70. Iari slats that could not roarPurari Delta, Gulf · Restricted
  71. Kanganamun Iatmul initiation bullroarerMiddle Sepik / Kanganamun · Restricted
  72. Iatmul — MindimbitEast Sepik · Restricted
  73. Emouno, voice of the kaiaimunuPapuan Gulf area · Restricted
  74. Kafe / KainantuEastern Highlands · Restricted
  75. Kai Ngosa, the swallowing grandfatherMorobe · Restricted
  76. Gadfly at rest and in flightKaiser-Wilhelmsland (German New Guinea), locality unrecorded · Function not recorded
  77. Kalam wtt, named for a parrotUpper Kaironk Valley, Schrader Range, Madang Province · Play / practical
  78. Kaluli bachelors' bullroarer chaseMount Bosavi, Great Papuan Plateau · Restricted
  79. Kamano, Fore, Jate, UsurufaEastern Highlands · Restricted
  80. KambramboLower Sepik, East Sepik Province · Restricted
  81. Titamnga mautwa kept by mothersTitamnga / Kapau-Kamea territory · Restricted
  82. Furtedjuwi, the roarer women cannot seeSepik (Kambaramba), East Sepik · Restricted
  83. Karama (Elema)Gulf · Restricted
  84. Barag burned with its cult houseMadang · Restricted
  85. KerakiWestern · Restricted
  86. Kilenge (nausan)Cape Gloucester, far-west New Britain · Restricted
  87. King / KalilNew Ireland · Restricted
  88. Kiwai madubu, mother of the yamsWestern · Restricted
  89. Komnzo frfr and ŋofoŋofo bullroarers, RoukuRouku village, Morehead district, Western Province (Trans-Fly) · Restricted
  90. Koriki spirit-face and crocodile bull-roarerPurari Delta (Pai-i-ara), Gulf Province · Restricted
  91. Kairu (Koriki) "imunu-viki" bullroarer, Purari DeltaGulf Province / Purari Delta / Naman District / Kairu · Sacred / spirit
  92. Kranket Djabobibi, swung at circumcisionKranket Island, Madang Lagoon (Astrolabe Bay, German New Guinea) · Sacred / spirit
  93. Kubka (Kubkin) Upper Sepik bullroarer, Yale PeabodyEast Sepik / Leonard Schultze (Walio) River / Kubka-Kubkain vicinity · Function not recorded
  94. Kubu blade, waking the yam groundKubu, Western Province · Sacred / spirit
  95. Kuman toy, the koa kept secretChimbu (Simbu) · Play / practical
  96. KurtiManus · Function not recorded
  97. Kwaplalim's six ochred rodsMorobe Province, Menyamya district · Restricted
  98. Kwoma minja and Nankwi's dinEast Sepik · Restricted
  99. Kutubu amaga, invited initiatorsSouthern Highlands · Restricted
  100. LaksNew Ireland · Restricted
  101. Biliva, swung over the gardensCentral Province / Kairuku Hiri District / Lala (Nara) area · Weather / fertility magic
  102. Maclay CoastMadang · Restricted
  103. MaipkaWestern Highlands · Restricted
  104. Imunu viki, the weeping spiritPurari delta (Maipua), Gulf · Restricted
  105. Mairipepia wooden rhombeGulf Province / Mairipepia village · Function not recorded
  106. MaisinNorthern · Function not recorded
  107. Mali Baining bullroarers, Iwon (Bateson, 1928)East New Britain / Gazelle Peninsula / Iwon · Sacred / spirit
  108. Manam Island (incl. Dugulaba)Madang · Restricted
  109. Rirangode, the Masingara SosomWestern Province (near Daru) · Restricted
  110. Massim pair, cords still attachedMassim region · Function not recorded
  111. Lupranggina, the roar that cries pigMato (Nengaya) villages, north coast of the Huon Peninsula, Morobe Province · Restricted
  112. Mawai (Waria watershed)Mawai (Waria watershed) · Restricted
  113. Mekeo tabu-proclamation bull-roarerCentral Province / Mekeo District · Sacred / spirit
  114. MengenEast New Britain · Restricted
  115. Menya roarer and the pierced septumMenyamya district / Angan language region · Restricted
  116. Middle Sepik fishtail bullroarerMiddle Sepik · Function not recorded
  117. Widaro kamoa, the spirit itselfMoando-Sprachgebiet, NE New Guinea (Madang hinterland) · Sacred / spirit
  118. MoripiGulf · Restricted
  119. MöwehafenWest New Britain · Restricted
  120. Biwat vuvereke, mother of the flutesEast Sepik · Restricted
  121. Murik / Kaup / KerauEast Sepik · Restricted
  122. NakanaiWest New Britain · Play / practical
  123. NalikNew Ireland · Function not recorded
  124. Namau "Imunu Viki" bullroarer, Baroi RiverGulf Province / Purari Delta / Naman District / Baroi River / Ukiaravi · Restricted
  125. NasioiBougainville · Restricted
  126. Meyang, the clan roarers of BimadbnBimadbn (Bimadeben) village, Morehead district, South Fly District, Western Province (Trans-Fly) · Sacred / spirit
  127. New Britain fish-head pairNew Britain (museum attribution uncertain) · Function not recorded
  128. Thirteen unprovenanced New Guinea bladesPapuan Gulf (by style); locality unrecorded · Function not recorded
  129. Blade with a white-filled head motifNew Guinea; locality unrecorded · Function not recorded
  130. New Hanover (incl. Tungak, Lavongai)New Ireland · Function not recorded
  131. NgaingMadang · Restricted
  132. NiauraEast Sepik · Restricted
  133. Bolomana, the bullroarer court of SibomaSiboma village, south coast of the Huon Gulf, Huon District, Morobe Province · Restricted
  134. Nungon first-harvest bullroarer, Uruwa valleyUruwa River valley / Kabwum District, Morobe Province · Sacred / spirit
  135. OrokaivaNorthern · Restricted
  136. Orokaiva bullroarer, Kokoda DistrictBritish New Guinea / North Division / Kokoda District · Restricted
  137. OrokoloGulf · Restricted
  138. Four-holed Papuan Gulf gope cult boardGulf Province · Sacred / spirit
  139. Mongemonge twin SchwirrhölzerMongemonge, east of Rein Bay / West New Britain · Function not recorded
  140. Arrow-headed blade with mirrored figurePapua New Guinea, locality unrecorded · Function not recorded
  141. Umeretengteng twin SchwirrhölzerUmeretengteng / West New Britain · Function not recorded
  142. Pororan IslandBougainville · Restricted
  143. Port Moresby Papan house emblem and child's bullroarerPort Moresby, British New Guinea · Sacred / spirit
  144. PurariGulf · Restricted
  145. Kaimari Island Purari spirit-voice bullroarerKaimari Island / Port Romilly / Gulf Province · Sacred / spirit
  146. Ramuaina / Duke of York IslandEast New Britain · Restricted
  147. RaoMadang · Function not recorded
  148. Ruk Ruk northern Bougainville warning bullroarerNorthern Bougainville · Restricted
  149. Duka’ yungalu, the bird’s callEastern Highlands (people and place names pseudonymized) · Sacred / spirit
  150. Sawos right and left bullroarersTorembi, East Sepik · Function not recorded
  151. Sepa lumbeki, servants of KiwaroSepa village / Bogia District / Madang Province · Sacred / spirit
  152. Crocodile-headed Sepik blade with handleSepik region (museum attribution uncertain) · Function not recorded
  153. SepoeGulf · Restricted
  154. SerangMadang · Function not recorded
  155. Siassi IslandsMorobe · Restricted
  156. SioMorobe · Restricted
  157. Sirorata sova, the hooded initiatesOro Province / Sirorata · Restricted
  158. Sissano's metre-long giantSissano villages, Aitape coast, West Sepik (former German New Guinea) · Function not recorded
  159. SiwaiBougainville · Function not recorded
  160. Solos roarer, voice of the urarBuka Island, Autonomous Re · Sacred / spirit
  161. Sorang sapana, silent old voiceSorang village, Rai Coast, Madang Province · Restricted
  162. SulkaEast New Britain · Restricted
  163. Kapunimutzimburi of the Tabar IslandsTabar Islands (Simberi, Tatau, Big Tabar), off north-east New Ireland, New Ireland Province / former German New Guinea (Neu-Mecklenburg) · Function not recorded
  164. Tairora bullroarer male-spirit declarationEastern Highlands / Anga-Eastern Highlands men's cult zone · Restricted
  165. Tami kani, the swallowing lordMorobe · Restricted
  166. Tanga tangalop bullroarer size gradesTanga Islands (Boang, Malendok, Lif, Tefa) / New Ireland Province / former German New Guinea · Restricted
  167. TapenMadang · Restricted
  168. Tarawai IslandEast Sepik · Restricted
  169. Tandaravakwe, borrowed voice of TambuanGazelle Peninsula, New Britain · Restricted
  170. Awaiama and TaupotaMilne Bay · Sacred / spirit
  171. Titans (incl. M'bunai, Rambutyo Island & Mouk)Manus · Function not recorded
  172. Toaripi (Motumotu)Gulf · Restricted
  173. TolaiEast New Britain · Play / practical
  174. TopuraMilne Bay · Restricted
  175. TubulamoCentral · Function not recorded
  176. Nine named rubu of UaripiGulf Province / Uaripi village / Kerema District · Restricted
  177. Umboi, the spirit’s visible tongueMorobe · Restricted
  178. Urama kaiaimunu, voices and mothersGulf Province (Urama Island) · Restricted
  179. Uramot Baining salek bullroarers (Bateson, New Britain)East New Britain / Gazelle Peninsula / Latramat-Kainagunen · Restricted
  180. UtuwalaMilne Bay · Function not recorded
  181. Vanimo (incl. Warimo, Wutung and Yako)West Sepik · Function not recorded
  182. Waffa flutes and roarer togetherEastern Family language region · Restricted
  183. WaimaCentral · Restricted
  184. WamparMorobe · Function not recorded
  185. WapeiWest Sepik · Function not recorded
  186. Wapo-EraGulf · Function not recorded
  187. A spirit's voice at circumcision festivalsFrench Islands (Französische Inseln), German New Guinea; now the Vitu / Witu Islands, West New Britain Province · Restricted
  188. Bullroarers that banned the chestnut harvestEast Sepik · Restricted
  189. Wojokeso roarer shown at septum-piercingSafeyoka/Ampale language orbit · Restricted
  190. Five slides of the bullroarer's swingEast Sepik / Wosera · Restricted
  191. Yagwoia roarer for boys and dogsAngan language region · Restricted
  192. Yimar (Korowori)Upper Korowori (Karawari) River, East Sepik · Restricted
  193. Kanim with its nostril and mouthWestern Province (Muyu/Ok Tedi · Restricted
  194. Yopno ancestor and traditional-law bullroarerMadang Province / Rai Coast District / Teptep, upper Yupna Valley · Sacred / spirit
  195. YupnoNokopo village, Finisterre Range, Madang Province · Restricted
  196. Zia bullroarer sounded at initiationMorobe · Restricted

Samoa 1

  1. Samoa lango mumu leaf toy bullroarerSamoan Islands · Play / practical

Solomon Islands 3

  1. Matahenua hakatangikugu, the rain-summonerMatahenua, Bellona Island (Mungiki), Rennell and Bellona Province · Weather / fertility magic
  2. Florida Solomon Islands Matambala buroRestricted
  3. Pino, the Gilbertese magic roarerSikaiana atoll, Malaita Province · Sacred / spirit

United States 1

  1. Hawaiian O-e-o-e wooden toy bullroarerHawaiian Islands · Play / practical

Vanuatu 15

  1. Ambae wooden toy bullroarerAmbae (Aoba), New Hebrides · Play / practical
  2. Ambrym secret-society bullroarerAmbrym / New Hebrides · Restricted
  3. Araga (Pentecost), Vanuatu — tavire bua toyNew Hebrides · Play / practical
  4. Atchin ghostly-pig bullroarer voiceAtchin Island / northeast Malekula · Restricted
  5. Big Nambas bullroarer, MalekulaNorthwest Malekula / Big Nambas plateau · Restricted
  6. Lambumbu and Uerik Malekula sacred bullroarerCentral-west Malekula / Lambumbu · Restricted
  7. Maewo tal-viv toyNew Hebrides · Play / practical
  8. Woman-slit-my-ear, the Nevinbur voiceMalekula, Vanuatu · Restricted
  9. Merlav Banks Islands mourning bullroarerSacred / spirit
  10. Mota Banks Islands nanamateaSacred / spirit
  11. Naman circumcision bullroarers (Lengaleng)Central Malekula / Lengaleng · Restricted
  12. Ambrym Womel seed-whirler pairFanla, Ambrym · Function not recorded
  13. Senbarei (Onua) temigh wumpEast Malekula / Onua · Sacred / spirit
  14. Werewere, the murdered woman's stoneBanks Islands (Torba) · Restricted
  15. Vanua Lava, Banks Islands — mala toyBanks Islands, New Hebrides · Play / practical