Kek (April Star)

Description

Kek is the Zenadh Kes word for April Star.  Kek is also the name of the annual celebration for the ending of the monsoon season and the Torres Straight Island cycle of the new year.  In the old days it was the most festive time.  Much fuss and effort was made in preparations of ceremony which lasted around the whole month of April.  From York Island, Yam (Iama), Darnley (Erub) and Nagir, or Mt Earnest Island, great sea-going canoes of families would travel to Mer (Murray) Island, easternmost of all the islands, with sea and garden foods including dugong, yams and coconuts. Ceremonial objects and weavings were also made at this time.  I have illustrated a sea turtle, food for the ceremony and an image of the Zogo Le (Holy man) who also made the journey from each island to lead in song, ceremony and celebration.  My ancestors believed that our ceremony brought on the new life for us to be harvested and not the other way around.