According to Aboriginal artist Dennis Nona, the Bu, or “trumpet shell,” played an important role in the traditional life of the Torres Strait Islanders. It served not only as a source of food but also as a wind instrument, blown like a trumpet to call villagers together or to warn of imminent danger. The shell was dried and pierced at one end, and the sound it produced varied depending on the size of the shell used and the nature of the gathering.

The artist created a series of six etchings depicting the Bu, each engraved with different totems from his island. These totems can also be found painted in sacred rock caves on Badu Island.

This particular print by Dennis Nona represents a cassowary, or Samu. Though not native to the island, this bird became a totem introduced through intermarriage and is known as Tyrradi Zig Aguhal in the local language.

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