The Bullroarer Atlas

233 records · Oceania

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.

Australia 7

  1. Keriri / Hammond Island initiation bull-roarer (wanes)Keriri (Hammond Island), Prince of Wales / Muralug group, western Torres Strait, Queensland - Restricted
  2. Mabuiag turtle-fishery bullroarerSacred / spirit
  3. Mer / Murray Island boys' toy bullroarerPlay / practical
  4. Mer rain-making bullroarer (bigo)Mer (Murray Island), Eastern Islands, Torres Strait, Queensland - Weather / fertility magic
  5. Moa (Mua) IslandersMoa (Mua / Banks) Island, western Torres Strait, Queensland - Weather / fertility magic
  6. Muralug waness bullroarerRestricted
  7. Yam (Iama) IslandersYam (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 13

  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, rite unrecordedSouth Papua (Merauke area) - Function not recorded
  6. Kimam (Kolepom / Frederik-Hendrik Island)Frederik-Hendrik Island (Pulau Yos Sudarso / Kolepom), south coast - Restricted
  7. 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
  8. Marind-anim Dema-voice bullroarersDutch South New Guinea / South Papua - Restricted
  9. Two Marind-anim rhombes, blade and discIrian Jaya collection context - Sacred / spirit
  10. Mombum / Komolom Island bullroarerKomolom Island (south of Yos Sudarso / Kolepom) - Function not recorded
  11. Muyu mulin bullroarer, Upper Kao-DigulMuyu / Upper Kao-Digul / historic Netherlands New Guinea - Restricted
  12. Sawia blackened bamboo bladeSawia / Arso-Tami River / Keerom borderland - Function not recorded
  13. 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. Mare (Nengone) rhombe attestationLoyalty Islands / Mare - Function not recorded

New Zealand 4

  1. Maori purerehua bullroarerAotearoa / New Zealand - Sacred / spirit
  2. Ngati Porou (turorohu rain rite)East Cape / Waiapu Valley, North Island - Weather / fertility magic
  3. Pig Bay bone kōrorohūc. 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 (Chatham Is. whale-bone find)c. 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 185

  1. Abelam (incl.Maprik)East Sepik - Restricted
  2. AgarabiEastern Highlands - Restricted
  3. Aimei Kiwai kaiaimuru bullroarerGulf Province / lower Era River - Function not recorded
  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 - Function not recorded
  6. Akwi-ó of the nose-piercing riteMorobe–Gulf fringe (Anga) - Restricted
  7. Ankave-Anga bullroarer (Suowi Valley)Southern Anga territory, northernmost Gulf Province at the Morobe / Eastern Highlands junction (Suowi-Mbwei Valley) - Restricted
  8. Arapesh (incl.Kaboibus)East Sepik - Restricted
  9. Astrolabe BayMadang - Sacred / spirit
  10. Aua Island Schwirrholz toy bullroarerManus / Western Islands (Aua) - Play / practical
  11. Auyana bullroarer old-man spirit voiceEastern Highlands / Anga-Eastern Highlands men's cult zone - Restricted
  12. AvatipEast Sepik - Restricted
  13. AwalamaMilne Bay - Sacred / spirit
  14. Bagabag IslandMadang - Sacred / spirit
  15. BainingEast New Britain - Restricted
  16. Baluan IslandManus - Function not recorded
  17. BanaroEast Sepik - Restricted
  18. Baramura ceremonial bullroarerLower Fly River, Western Province - Sacred / spirit
  19. BarriaiWest New Britain - Restricted
  20. Baruya bullroarer in initiationEastern Highlands / Anga-Eastern Highlands men's cult zone - Restricted
  21. BaskenMadang - Sacred / spirit
  22. Bena Bena pig-festival revelationEastern Highlands / Bena Bena valley - Restricted
  23. Half-metre Bensbach blade, two fingers wideWestern Province (Morehead) - Function not recorded
  24. Bensbach bullroarer with intact cordWestern Province (Trans-Fly) / Bensbach River - Function not recorded
  25. Bia-WariaMorobe - Restricted
  26. Biliau (Rai Coast)Biliau, Rai Coast (Madang, near Saidor) - Function not recorded
  27. BinandereNorthern - Restricted
  28. Boazi (Boadzi / Kuni / Zimakani)Lake Murray and its central/northern shores plus the middle reaches of the Fly River, Western Province (southern lowlands) - Restricted
  29. BoikenEast Sepik - Restricted
  30. Bola Bakovi tuvura bullroarerWillaumez / Talasea Peninsula / West New Britain / New Pommern - Sacred / spirit
  31. Bongu blade pointed at both endsRai Coast, Madang (Astrolabe B - Function not recorded
  32. Borli/Boli (Waria watershed)Borli/Boli (Waria watershed) - Restricted
  33. Luana murup of the Lower RamuMelanesia, Papua New Guinea - Function not recorded
  34. Buin (incl.Telei, Uisai)Bougainville - Sacred / spirit
  35. BukaBougainville - Restricted
  36. Bukaua bullroarer (Neuhauss, VI 29955)Morobe (former German New Guinea / Nordost-Neuguinea) - Restricted
  37. Bukawa / YabimMorobe - Restricted
  38. Burum-Mindik esöŋ bullroarerBurum and Mindik valleys, inland southern Huon Peninsula, Morobe Province - Restricted
  39. BusamaMorobe - Restricted
  40. Bush Kaliai Varku bullroarer tambaranKaliai bush, Kove/Kaliai Rural LLG, West New Britain - Restricted
  41. Cape CretinMorobe - Sacred / spirit
  42. Palimbei monumental Iatmul bullroarerMiddle Sepik / Palimbei (Parambei; Bragge: Parembei; historic catalog: Palimbai II) - Restricted
  43. ChambriEast Sepik - Restricted
  44. Dagoi Dagu bullroarerDagoi / Dagu / Bogia District / Madang Province - Sacred / spirit
  45. Dom / SinasinaChimbu - Sacred / spirit
  46. Bunu village Schwirrholz (MARKK 4497 I)Morobe Province / Finschhafen hinterland - Function not recorded
  47. Duo YangoruEast Sepik - Sacred / spirit
  48. EklepWest New Britain - Sacred / spirit
  49. Elema: GeneralGulf - Restricted
  50. Wabag blade with a carved headEnga Province / Wabag - Function not recorded
  51. Evaora bullroarer charm, Panaroa River / Port RomillyPanaroa (Ivey) River / Port Romilly, Gulf Province - Weather / fertility magic
  52. FinschhafenMorobe - Restricted
  53. Fly RiverWestern - Restricted
  54. Gadsup returning-grandparents voiceEastern Highlands / Kainantu-Gadsup area - Restricted
  55. Gambadi thowatti, KwavaruWestern - Restricted
  56. GawacMorobe - Restricted
  57. Gazelle: GeneralEast New Britain - Play / practical
  58. Goaribari carved board, no roarers recordedGoaribari, Gulf Province (Kikori delta) - Restricted
  59. Gogodala aida roarer, scorched with figuresWestern Province (Aramia River - Function not recorded
  60. Grass Country Sepik-Keram bullroarer Yale PeabodyGrass Country between the Sepik and Keram rivers, East Sepik - Function not recorded
  61. Guhu-SamaneMorobe - Restricted
  62. Gulf of Papua initiation bullroarerGulf of Papua / British New Guinea - Restricted
  63. Gulf Province eleven-bullroarer seriesGulf Province (no district or village recorded) - Function not recorded
  64. HakusBougainville - Restricted
  65. HubeMorobe - Function not recorded
  66. Hunjara / Koko wowow initiation bullroarerYodda Valley / Kokoda / Kumusi Division - Restricted
  67. Huon Gulf (General)Morobe - Restricted
  68. Iari slats that could not roarPurari Delta, Gulf - Restricted
  69. Kanganamun Iatmul initiation bullroarerMiddle Sepik / Kanganamun - Restricted
  70. Iatmul — MindimbitEast Sepik - Restricted
  71. Emouno, voice of the kaiaimunuPapuan Gulf area - Restricted
  72. Kafe / KainantuEastern Highlands - Restricted
  73. KaiMorobe - Restricted
  74. Gadfly at rest and in flightKaiser-Wilhelmsland (German New Guinea), locality unrecorded - Function not recorded
  75. Bosavi Kaluli roarer, unrecorded voiceMount Bosavi, Great Papuan Pla - Function not recorded
  76. Kamano, Fore, Jate, UsurufaEastern Highlands - Restricted
  77. KambramboLower Sepik, East Sepik Province - Restricted
  78. Titamnga mautwa kept by mothersTitamnga / Kapau-Kamea territory - Restricted
  79. Furtedjuwi, the roarer women cannot seeSepik (Kambaramba), East Sepik - Restricted
  80. Karama (Elema)Gulf - Restricted
  81. Barag burned with its cult houseMadang - Sacred / spirit
  82. KerakiWestern - Restricted
  83. Kilenge (nausan)Cape Gloucester, far-west New Britain - Restricted
  84. King / KalilNew Ireland - Restricted
  85. KiwaiWestern - Restricted
  86. Komnzo frfr and ŋofoŋofo bullroarers, RoukuRouku village, Morehead district, Western Province (Trans-Fly) - Restricted
  87. Koriki spirit-face and crocodile boardPurari Delta (Pai-i-ara), Gulf Province - Restricted
  88. Kairu (Koriki) "imunu-viki" bullroarer, Purari DeltaGulf Province / Purari Delta / Naman District / Kairu - Sacred / spirit
  89. Kranket (Grager) Djabobibi, Finsch 1888 correctedKranket Island, Madang Lagoon (Astrolabe Bay, German New Guinea) - Sacred / spirit
  90. Kubka (Kubkin) Upper Sepik bullroarer, Yale PeabodyEast Sepik / Leonard Schultze (Walio) River / Kubka-Kubkain vicinity - Function not recorded
  91. Kubu ceremonial bullroarerKubu, Western Province - Sacred / spirit
  92. KurtiManus - Function not recorded
  93. Kwaplalim's six ochred rodsMorobe Province, Menyamya district - Function not recorded
  94. KwomaEast Sepik - Restricted
  95. Lae-WombaMorobe - Function not recorded
  96. Lake KutubuSouthern Highlands - Play / practical
  97. LaksNew Ireland - Restricted
  98. Biliva, swung over the gardensCentral Province / Kairuku Hiri District / Lala (Nara) area - Weather / fertility magic
  99. Maclay CoastMadang - Restricted
  100. MaipkaWestern Highlands - Sacred / spirit
  101. Imunu viki, the weeping spiritPurari delta (Maipua), Gulf - Restricted
  102. Mairipepia wooden rhombeGulf Province / Mairipepia village - Function not recorded
  103. MaisinNorthern - Function not recorded
  104. Mali Baining bullroarers, Iwon (Bateson, 1928)East New Britain / Gazelle Peninsula / Iwon - Sacred / spirit
  105. Manam Island (incl. Dugulaba)Madang - Restricted
  106. Rirangode, the Masingara SosomWestern Province (near Daru) - Restricted
  107. Massim pair, cords still attachedMassim region - Function not recorded
  108. Mawai (Waria watershed)Mawai (Waria watershed) - Restricted
  109. Mekeo tabu-proclamation bull-roarer (Q.M. N.G. 18639)Central Province / Mekeo District - Sacred / spirit
  110. MengenEast New Britain - Sacred / spirit
  111. Middle Sepik fishtail bullroarerMiddle Sepik - Function not recorded
  112. Moando area (Madang)Moando-Sprachgebiet, NE New Guinea (Madang hinterland) - Function not recorded
  113. MoripiGulf - Restricted
  114. MowehafenWest New Britain - Sacred / spirit
  115. MundugumorEast Sepik - Sacred / spirit
  116. Murik / Kaup / KerauEast Sepik - Restricted
  117. NakanaiWest New Britain - Play / practical
  118. NalikNew Ireland - Function not recorded
  119. Namau "Imunu Viki" bullroarer, Baroi RiverGulf Province / Purari Delta / Naman District / Baroi River / Ukiaravi - Restricted
  120. NasioiBougainville - Function not recorded
  121. New Britain fish-head pairNew Britain (museum attribution uncertain) - Function not recorded
  122. New Hanover (incl. Tungak, Lavongai)New Ireland - Function not recorded
  123. NgaingMadang - Restricted
  124. NiauraEast Sepik - Restricted
  125. Nungon first-harvest bullroarer, Uruwa valleyUruwa River valley / Kabwum District, Morobe Province - Sacred / spirit
  126. OrokaivaNorthern - Restricted
  127. Orokaiva bullroarer, Kokoda DistrictBritish New Guinea / North Division / Kokoda District - Restricted
  128. OrokoloGulf - Restricted
  129. Face carved into a Gulf bladePapuan Gulf / Gulf Region - Function not recorded
  130. Thirteen unprovenanced New Guinea bladesNew Guinea; locality unrecorded - Function not recorded
  131. Blade with a white-filled head motifNew Guinea; locality unrecorded - Function not recorded
  132. Sosom, the giant's voiceFly River / Western Province - Restricted
  133. Four-holed Papuan Gulf gope cult boardGulf Province - Sacred / spirit
  134. Pororan IslandBougainville - Sacred / spirit
  135. Port Moresby Papan house emblem and child's bullroarerPort Moresby, British New Guinea - Sacred / spirit
  136. PurariGulf - Restricted
  137. Kaimari Island Purari spirit-voice bullroarerKaimari Island / Port Romilly / Gulf Province - Sacred / spirit
  138. Purari Delta face-carved bullroarer trioGulf of Papua / Purari Delta - Function not recorded
  139. Ramuaina / Duke of York IslandEast New Britain - Function not recorded
  140. RaoMadang - Function not recorded
  141. Beriwa, the kaivakuku's night voiceCentral Province / Bereina subdistrict / Roro Islands - Restricted
  142. Ruk Ruk northern Bougainville warning bullroarerNorthern Bougainville - Restricted
  143. Duka’ yungalu, the bird’s callEastern Highlands (people and place names pseudonymized) - Sacred / spirit
  144. Sawos roarer of the men's houseTorembi, East Sepik - Function not recorded
  145. Sepa communal bullroarerSepa village / Bogia District / Madang Province - Sacred / spirit
  146. Crocodile-headed Sepik blade with handleSepik region (museum attribution uncertain) - Function not recorded
  147. SepoeGulf - Restricted
  148. SerangMadang - Function not recorded
  149. Siassi IslandsMorobe - Restricted
  150. SioMorobe - Sacred / spirit
  151. Sirorata sova bullroarer (Oro Province)Oro Province / Sirorata - Restricted
  152. Sissano's metre-long giantSissano villages, Aitape coast, West Sepik (former German New Guinea) - Function not recorded
  153. SiwaiBougainville - Function not recorded
  154. Solos roarer, voice of the urarBuka Island, Autonomous Re - Sacred / spirit
  155. SulkaEast New Britain - Restricted
  156. Tairora bullroarer male-spirit declarationEastern Highlands / Anga-Eastern Highlands men's cult zone - Restricted
  157. TamiMorobe - Restricted
  158. Tanga tangalop bullroarer size gradesTanga Islands (Boang, Malendok, Lif, Tefa) / New Ireland Province / former German New Guinea - Restricted
  159. TapenMadang - Sacred / spirit
  160. Tarawai IslandEast Sepik - Restricted
  161. Tandaravakwe, borrowed voice of TambuanGazelle Peninsula, New Britain - Restricted
  162. TaupotaMilne Bay - Sacred / spirit
  163. Titans (incl. M'bunai, Rambutyo Island & Mouk)Manus - Function not recorded
  164. Toaripi (Motumotu)Gulf - Restricted
  165. TolaiEast New Britain - Play / practical
  166. TopuraMilne Bay - Sacred / spirit
  167. TubulamoCentral - Function not recorded
  168. Nine named rubu of UaripiGulf Province / Uaripi village / Kerema District - Restricted
  169. Umboi IslandMorobe - Sacred / spirit
  170. Kaiaimunu, the wicker monster's voiceGulf Province (Urama Island) - Restricted
  171. Uramot Baining salek bullroarers (Bateson, New Britain)East New Britain / Gazelle Peninsula / Latramat-Kainagunen - Restricted
  172. UtuwalaMilne Bay - Function not recorded
  173. Vanimo (incl. Warimo, Wutung and Yako)West Sepik - Function not recorded
  174. WaimaCentral - Sacred / spirit
  175. WamparMorobe - Function not recorded
  176. WapeiWest Sepik - Function not recorded
  177. Wapo-EraGulf - Function not recorded
  178. Witu Islands circumcision-spirit bullroarerFrench Islands (Französische Inseln), German New Guinea; now the Vitu / Witu Islands, West New Britain Province - Restricted
  179. WogeoEast Sepik - Restricted
  180. Serangwandu initiation bullroarer, WoseraEast Sepik / Wosera - Restricted
  181. Yimar (Korowori)Upper Korowori (Karawari) River, East Sepik - Restricted
  182. Kanim with its nostril and mouthWestern Province (Muyu/Ok Tedi - Restricted
  183. Yopno ancestor and traditional-law bullroarerMadang Province / Rai Coast District / Teptep, upper Yupna Valley - Sacred / spirit
  184. YupnoNokopo village, Finisterre Range, Madang Province - Restricted
  185. ZiaMorobe - Sacred / spirit

Samoa 1

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

Solomon Islands 1

  1. Florida Solomon Islands Matambala buroRestricted

United States 1

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

Vanuatu 14

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