Yathikpa

natural earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetradonta)

248 cm

$5,000

Enquire about this work

Provenance: Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala, NT, Cat No. 4891N
Artwork story: Before the advent of modern communications, transport and rather static community living the bone remains of Yolŋu dead were after time placed in Larrakitj (hollow logs) as the final of mortuary rites. A Yolŋu died. Extended family connected by complex systems of kin had to be notified so that they could participate in formal ceremony. Initial rites commenced while message of the death was got to others. Initial rights dealt with the rid of malevolence of spirit found in the soft tissue parts. The cleansing of the deceased's bones by the elements helped in this, the contamination of death kept at bay by the use of shallow sand graves or raised platforms. The essence of the spirit for Yolŋu is within the bone and it is the final rites of mortuary ceremony that provides its release. The bones may then be coloured with ochre, wrapped in paper bark to be placed within the hollow log. In turn, the log and its content is stood in the bush, sacred minytji (clan design) identifying to the spirit world the deceased’s spiritual origins. The unit would in time disintegrate about itself, back to the mother earth. The painting on this log depicts the saltwater country of Yathikpa where the actions of Bäru the Ancestral Crocodile and Hunters Burrak and Garramatji took place. The area can be explained in some of the mythology of this country. Burrak and Garramatji went out hunting at Yathikpa in their canoe for dugong. The dugong fled to the dangerous waters around Marrtjala, the hunters harpoon striking the rock causing the Ancestral Fires to flare and boil the waters. This lead to the canoe capsizing and drowning to occur. The Fire had its origins at Yathikpa and was first "carried' by Baru the Ancestral Crocodile and took it to sea. Fire represents a profound knowledge that takes wisdom and courage to handle correctly. It is the same waters that have been also affected by the passing through of the flood plains of Baraltja. Freshwaters from clan lands related to the Madarrpa as well as their own gather and mix before being taken out to sea by washing tides. This happens generally at the turn of season when the rains begin and new waters are mixed into the system of things. At this time, the serpent Mundukul stands on its tail to spit lightning into the sky in the direction of other Madarrpa lands including the saltwater estate of Marrtjala. So, as a harpoon travels, or does lightning the estates are connected spiritually in a multi directional way- both to and from, a cyclic phenomenon which are chronicled In the sacred songs that narrate these Ancestral actions over land, through the sea and ether. © Copyright. This work and documentation is the copyright of the artist and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the artist and clan concerned.

Stockroom

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Wulu Marawili Mikariny Muluminya

b. 1967

Region: Arnhem Land
Community: Rorruwuy
Language group: Yolŋu

Yathikpa

natural earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetradonta)

248 cm

$5,000

Enquire about this work

Provenance: Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala, NT, Cat No. 4891N
Artwork story: Before the advent of modern communications, transport and rather static community living the bone remains of Yolŋu dead were after time placed in Larrakitj (hollow logs) as the final of mortuary rites. A Yolŋu died. Extended family connected by complex systems of kin had to be notified so that they could participate in formal ceremony. Initial rites commenced while message of the death was got to others. Initial rights dealt with the rid of malevolence of spirit found in the soft tissue parts. The cleansing of the deceased's bones by the elements helped in this, the contamination of death kept at bay by the use of shallow sand graves or raised platforms. The essence of the spirit for Yolŋu is within the bone and it is the final rites of mortuary ceremony that provides its release. The bones may then be coloured with ochre, wrapped in paper bark to be placed within the hollow log. In turn, the log and its content is stood in the bush, sacred minytji (clan design) identifying to the spirit world the deceased’s spiritual origins. The unit would in time disintegrate about itself, back to the mother earth. The painting on this log depicts the saltwater country of Yathikpa where the actions of Bäru the Ancestral Crocodile and Hunters Burrak and Garramatji took place. The area can be explained in some of the mythology of this country. Burrak and Garramatji went out hunting at Yathikpa in their canoe for dugong. The dugong fled to the dangerous waters around Marrtjala, the hunters harpoon striking the rock causing the Ancestral Fires to flare and boil the waters. This lead to the canoe capsizing and drowning to occur. The Fire had its origins at Yathikpa and was first "carried' by Baru the Ancestral Crocodile and took it to sea. Fire represents a profound knowledge that takes wisdom and courage to handle correctly. It is the same waters that have been also affected by the passing through of the flood plains of Baraltja. Freshwaters from clan lands related to the Madarrpa as well as their own gather and mix before being taken out to sea by washing tides. This happens generally at the turn of season when the rains begin and new waters are mixed into the system of things. At this time, the serpent Mundukul stands on its tail to spit lightning into the sky in the direction of other Madarrpa lands including the saltwater estate of Marrtjala. So, as a harpoon travels, or does lightning the estates are connected spiritually in a multi directional way- both to and from, a cyclic phenomenon which are chronicled In the sacred songs that narrate these Ancestral actions over land, through the sea and ether. © Copyright. This work and documentation is the copyright of the artist and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the artist and clan concerned.