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.

Available at:

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.

Return to collection to read more

Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre Overview

Carved boab nuts by Jack Wherra

boab carvings

Derby’s icon is larrkardi or the boab tree, which produces large edible nuts, the surface of which, is perfect for engraving. Worrorra elder, Jack Wherra is recognised for his intricate boab nut...

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...