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Wandjina & Unguds (cloud and rain spirits & totems)

The Wandjina spirits are highly respected by the Worrora, Ngarinyin and Wunumbul people who live at Mowanjum and up the Gibb River Road to Kalumburru in the North West Kimberley region of Western Australia. The Wandjina gave the Law, Culture and Language to the people to abide by. These customs are carried on today. The Unguds represent the dreaming of the people which the Wandjina has given. The Ungud is given before birth to the parents, grandparents aunts or uncles of a child, through dreams, or it may come as a living animal.This is considered as a gift from the Wandjina to the parent, the animal becomes a gift to the unborn child which the child belongs to. Now when the child dies it goes back to being that animal. Today each and every individual has their own animal that belongs to them.

Name: Saskia Budbuwalla Hurrell


Language: English, Ngarinyin


Community: Mowanjum


Biography:

Saskia is the youngest child of Amelia Hurrell ( who is an emerging artist ).

Born in Derby, Saskia has spent most of her life in Mowanjum Community.

She has graduated from Year 6 in 2018 and is now in high school at Derby District High School.

Saskia became an artist by watching her mother and her aunties Alison, Laurel and Kirsty Burgu paint their stories on canvas.

Her hobbies include building anything for example she built a photo frame stand, windmill, drum etc.

Saskia loves going to the pool and playing games with her family members.

Her biggest achievement was leading the children with the puppets and lanterns at the 2018 Mowanjum Festival.  She was able to speak about her Ungud ( child spirit ).

Saskia's dream when she grows up is to become an inventor.


© the artist / art centre