| Description |
Taka (Spilocuscus maculatus) is one of the many types of possums on Awaikay land, collectively called pawia meŋgea ‘the red meat’. Taka is a smaller white possum. Some Awiakay call this figure taka tisay ‘possum’s anal glands’, others taka kunma ‘possum’s tail’, which wriggles away as the string figure-maker pulls the final figure. It is possible that this figure used to be connected with another one (or had another part to it) which would be associated with possum’s anal gland, but that with time that one became forgotten. All adult possums have a specific odour, which they produce in their anal glands. While some people are disgusted by it, they say that in the past the big men would collect the matter produced in possum’s glands and smear their skin with it.
Images:
02: taka kunma ‘possum’s tail’, final design
03: possum’s tail loosening
04: taka tenja ‘young white possum’ (Spilocuscus maculatus)
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