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Indigenous Mental Health - Module 06 - Mabaig Part 01
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Mari Gethal means “Hand of the Spirit” where the “Law of the Deceased” defines specific cultural practices and issues that must be addressed when informing relatives of a death and when making funeral arrangements. Dressing of the body also has special significance in healing.
Traditional cultural practices and rituals required for funerals in the Torres Strait include:
- Umau Goega –The Day of the Death
Tidings of deceased taken to community by Mari Gethal
- Mai - The Mourning
Immediate and Extended families mourn deceased
- Murama Theodan - The Burial
Burial Site selected and decorated. Male Mari Gethal has a significant role
- Thoerabau Ai - The Burial Feast
Originally feast for Mari Gethal, but now whole community involved. Time for debriefing. Also opportunity for Mari Gethal to assess level of grief and intervention strategies
- Tai or Markai Tombstone Opening
Ceremony to signify that deceased “housed”. Official grieving ceases. Feast and gifts to people who have cared for family of deceased
(C) Marsat Ketchell (unpublished) 2004
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