The Wandjina spirits are highly respected by the Worrora, Ngarinyin and Wunumbul people who live at Mowanjum and along the Gibb River Road to Kalumburru in the North West Kimberley region of Western Australia. Wandjina represents the laws of everything the surrounds us trees, rivers, rocks, bush fruit and animals, all creation. The Wandjinas give the law on how we have to treat and use these creations. These customs are carried on today.
Name: Mildred Minggi Mungulu
Language: Worrora, Wunambal
Community: Mowanjum
Biography:
Mildred was born at Derby in the old Native Hospital (Numbala Nunga) and spent her 22 years at Mowanjum (“old site”) on the Derby Highway. This was where Mildred watched her father Alan Mungulu (dec) make didgeridoos and boomerangs at home. “When I was there, I would see him do them.” It was being near the traditional crafting of these objects that created a connection to the traditional culture which assisted Mildred’s own craft as a painter. In 1979 the community was moved to a new site on the Gibb River Road and this is where Mildred now resides.
Mildred paints, “what represents us, from our mothers and fathers. We keep it going from generation to generation.” Her artwork demonstrates an array of traditional symbolic representations, including Wandjinas from the three tribes of the Mowanjum community: the Ngarinyin, Worrorra and Wunambal tribes. Coastal Wandjina are signified by the series of circular lines crossed with radial lines fanning from the Wandjina’s head. It has been said this represents a cyclone and lightning.
Traditionally a painter, etching is a new medium now being explored by Mildred.
Three Tribes, Dumbi & Ungud (barn owl & totem). The three tribes are the Worrora, Wunumbul and Ngarinyin. The three tribes represent the Wandjina who made them what they are today. The three tribes are Read more…
Wandjina and Father God are the same (Wandjina Ge Irraaya Gaaddangaadaa Gajirnma) Irraaya arri arranangka anjoldanya Father for us in heaven ngunngumba mamaa guninya your name sacred let it be bandaya ngunjanangka gunyangkunyaal country for Read more…
Jarlarloyni Jarlarloyni is a female Wandjina that married Namarali one of the main three Wandjinas that created the laws, country and language for the Ngarinyin, Worrorra, and Wunumbal people. Namarali was originally from Ngarinyin country Read more…