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Published by CompNet Systems on

Wandjina, Ungud & Wali (cloud and rain spirit, totem & sea turtle)

The Wandjina spirits are highly respected by the Worrora, Ngarinyin and Wanumbul people who live at Mowanjum and up the Gibb River Road to Kalumburru in the Northwest Kimberley of Australia. The Wandjina gave the law and the culture to the people to abide by, these customs are still carried on today. The Ungud helped the Wandjina in creation of the land, creating rivers, lakes, gorges, waterholes & billabongs. The Wali are our food source that our ancestors have hunted for thousands of years.

Categories: MOWANJUM ART AND CULTURE CENTRE

Name: Shontae Charles

Language: Worrora, Nyigina

Community: Mowanjum

Biography:

Shontae Charles was born in Derby in the West Kimberley of Western Australia. She is a young Woddordda and Nykina woman who was grown-up by elder and lawman Donny Woolagoodja and Mildred Mungulu, both renowned artists. Her childhood was therefore rich with stories and culture and learning about Country and watching her extended family painting. Shontae paints the traditional Wandjina stories learnt in her childhood but fills her work with a youthful boldness and simplicity. 

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