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King Neptune's beard used during a crossing the line ceremony on board MV GLOBAL MARINER
King Neptune's beard used during a crossing the line ceremony on board MV GLOBAL MARINER

King Neptune's beard used during a crossing the line ceremony on board MV GLOBAL MARINER

Maker
Date1999
Object number00032157
NameBeard
MediumCotton [mop head]
DimensionsOverall: 420 x 480 x 20 mm
ClassificationsCeremonial artefact
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from International Transport Workers Federation
HistoryThe International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) operated a floating museum, the MV GLOBAL MARINER, to promote awareness of ships operating under flags of convenience and the poor working conditions aboard them. The ship was in use as a Museum from the mid 1990s till in sank in 2000 off the Venezuelan coast after colliding with a container ship. The ceremony is an initiation for those people on board who are crossing the equator for the first time. The ritual is conducted by crew members dressed as Neptune, his wife Amphitrite, a barber, a surgeon, guards, nymphs (or mermaids), and bears. The novices are treated by the surgeon (usually involving smearing with sticky unpleasant ointments which are later hard to remove). They are lathered and shaved by the barber, and tipped backwards into a bath or pool, to be ducked. They are now permitted into Neptune's kingdom. Variations include the presence of Davy Jones, the spirit of the sea.