"Star Dreaming"
122 x 91cm
Acrylic on linen
Ref No: AG387007
The site depicted in this canvas is Yanjirlypiri (Star) where there is a low hill and a water soakage. The imporatnce of this place cannot be overemphasised as young boys are brought here to be initiated from as far as Pitjantjatjara country to the south and Lajamanu to the north.During performance of this ceremony the men wear Jinjirla (white feather headresses) on either side of their heads. They also wear wooden carvings of stars which are laid out on the ground as part of the sand paintings produced for business. Ngalyipi (Snake Vine) is often depicted as long, curved lines and is used to tie Witi (ceremonial spears) vertically to the shins of the dancing initiates. The stars are usually depicted as the white roundels.