Jilamara Design by Paulina Puruntatameri
During ceremony on the Tiwi Islands a series of ‘yoi’ (dances), are performed; some are totemic and some shows a narrative of newly composed songs. Participants in these ceremonies are painted with turtiyanginari (the different natural ochre colours), transforming the dancers and, in some cases, provide protection against mapurtiti (spirits). These significant artistic designs collectively are called ‘Jilamara’.
