Description
This work depicts objects associated with the Ŋarra (law) ceremony, including bathi (dilly bag) and dhoṉa (digging stick). Ŋarra is a mens ceremony and the story of this painting is predominantly sacred and not open for sharing. It belongs to Gupapuyŋu clan and the homeland of Djiliwirri.
The diamond shapes filled with rarrk (cross hatching) represent Maulk. They are sent to other clans to tell people that a Gupapuyŋu ŋarra ceremony will happen. The diamond pattern in the centre of the central designs is guku galanyin (bush honey wax). The jagged protruding design on the top of the central form represents the ‘nose’ of the galanyin (bee hive wax) that protrudes from the hive and can be seen on the outside of the tree. The rarrk (cross hatching) inside the diamond shapes represents flowing guku(honey). The black adornment hanging from the centre of the design are sacred arm bands worn at the Gupapuyŋu Ŋarra.
