Japarra and Japalinga (Moon and Stars)

Japarra and Japalinga feature heavily in ceremonial representations on the Tiwi Islands. Japarra (moon) is a major signifier of season and the timing of the Kulama ceremony, the coming-of-age ceremony that is held at the end of the wet season when a ring appears around the moon. Japalinga (stars) are usually represented by ochre dots and commonly appear in various forms of jilamara – body paint designs that the Tiwi apply to each other for ceremony and yoyi (dance). 

Dimensions: 46 x 15cm, locally sourced ochre on strinybark