Katham (Woman Under Palm)

Description

‘Katham’ means ‘banana’ in the Kala Lagaw Ya language, of the central Torres Straits. Traditionally, Islanders believe that a jealous female spirit lives in the banana plant who prevents women from growing bananas and bearing fruit. However, it is believed that if a man grows a banana plant it will give him continuous fruit because the Katham spirit loves men and wishes to show her love.