Walbiri Ritual at Ngama

Synopsis: Ngama is a Walbiri ritual centre near Yuendumu some 200 miles northwest of Alice Springs in Central Australia. It is distinguished by a large rock painting of a snake, and much of the associated ritual is intended to promote the fertility of pythons and members of the python clan. The film shows an initiate being introduced to the snake painting and shown the sacred boards or ‘churinga’; the letting of arm blood and its use as an adhesive; the preparation for and the performance of three dances or mimetic ‘acts’. (To make the film about 20 Walbiri men were transported 20 miles from Yuendumu to the site and were supplied with food. The use of traditional dress and decorative materials was requested: other direction or control was negligible.)
Language: English
Country: Australia
Medium: Film; Film. 16mm. sd. col. 23 min.
Technical information: Black-and-white / Sound
Year of production: 1966
Availability: out of Distribution
Uses: Undergraduates. Postgraduates.*
Subjects: Anthropology
Keywords: Australia; paintings - rock paintings; Walbiri

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