Rom: An Aboriginal Ritual of Discovery
Publishing Details
Rom: An Aboriginal Ritual of Discovery
By (Author) Stephen Wild
Aboriginal Studies Press
Aboriginal Studies Press
1st January 1986
Australia
Classifications
General
Non Fiction
399.0899915
Physical Properties
Width 180mm, Height 224mm
Description
The first ROM ceremony, a 'ritual of diplomacy', performed outside Arnhem Land was held when the Anbarra people from north-central Arnhem Land presented a Rom to AIATSIS in 1982. This book details the songs, dances, and artefacts that are part of ROM, and are accompanied by colour illustrations. The book describes the Rom ritual in Arnhem Land and the changes made by the performers to stage it in Canberra. ROM are performed to establish or re-establish friendly relations with neighbouring communities by presenting them with elaborately-decorated totemic poles. The entire process of making, binding, and decorating the poles can extend over weeks and involves successive sessions of song and dance with culminate in a presentation ceremony.
