viii, 104 pages : illustrations, portraits ; 21 x 28 cm
Contents
Introduction -- Geography -- Cultural heritage -- What is a totem? -- Skin groups -- Boundaries -- Totem designs --- Notes -- The first people of Mornington Island -- Thuwathu: The Rainbow Serpent -- Kakawuny: Boney-winged seagull -- Ngarembee: Dingo -- Gidegal bana thuwathu: Moon and Rainbow Serpent -- Wurruku: The Shark -- Wulma: Hammerhead shark -- Thanbe: Shovel-nose shark -- Lamenburren: Tiger shark -- Balibal: Spotted stingray -- Milmajah: Barramundi -- Gunjin: Wallaby -- Jakiriijarr: Sea hawk -- The two fat boys -- Kamba: Rock cod -- Kurruuduwa: Little red-legged devils -- Gurrbudjee: Brown hawk -- Balmud: Death sentence -- Burrtunantha: Brolga -- Dunkumudin: Sleepy old turtle -- Dibirdi: Rock cod -- Kendabal: Dugong -- Women's paint-up -- Kathaku: Redbill -- Wunda: Rain -- Ngarijan: Morning star -- The future of paint-up -- Conclusion -- Glossary
Summary
This book was inspired by the body paint worn by the Mornington Island dancers - Each dancer has a particular paint-up design which is of immense cultural significance - Previously, knowledge of these designs was transferrred orally, but with changing times, the elders realised that to put the designs in a book could be their gift to the younger generation - This book is the result