Baroonggool, totems from the sea eagle Junba by Sam Woolagoodja

ceremonial objects

Celebrating the sea eagle

“When we dance we stamp the ground waking up the spirit. The sounds of the clapsticks echo through the Country and the spirit comes up when they hear it.” Worrorra songman and leader Sam Woolagoodja, created the totems of this junba. Depicted as sea eagle and night jar, they represent the two moieties to which everyone belongs, and across which they marry, signifying how the families are connected through culture and law.

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Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre

Waking up the spirit

Waking up the spirit of the Country through songs, dance, art and story, by sharing and teaching young people, is what the Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre does to keep their culture alive...

Address:

Gibb River Road
Derby WA 6728
Australia

Tel:

(08) 9191 1008

Email:

sales@mowanjumarts.com

Open Hours

Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat & Sun 10am - 3pm, or book group tours by calling 08 9191 1008.

Entrance fee to Museum applies.

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Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre Overview

Winjama-Yagan Captain Cook Junba by Wattie Nerdu

Captain Cook and the West Kimberley

This totem represents the boat (Winjama) and sails of Captain Cook’s ship on arrival in Australia. Worrorra songman, Wattie Nerdu, dreamt and composed this junba at Old Mowanjum in 1963. Presenting...

Kimberley points and axes

Ancient technologies adapt to new materials

Kimberley points are like a signature from the people of the coastal ranges of the Kimberley. Unique to this area, they are functionally beautiful objects created by skilled artisans for use as knives...