churinga

noun

chu·​rin·​ga
chüˈriŋgə
variants or less commonly tjurunga
tyüˈrəŋgə
or tjuringa
-ˈriŋgə
plural churingas or churinga
: an object of wood or stone that is considered sacred by various aboriginal tribes of Central Australia and that is often elliptical in shape, bears incised designs, is believed to represent either the spiritual double of a living native or the embodiment of the spirit of a totemic ancestor, and is generally regarded as secret
sometimes : the quality of sacredness compare bull-roarer

Word History

Etymology

native name in Australia

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“Churinga.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/churinga. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

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