Revised New Editon. Account of journeys with David Mowaljarlai to significant sites in the west Kimberley; includes associated mythology and religious knowledge – Wandjina, snake, celestial bodies, sun, weather, lightning, flood, clouds , insects, birds, kangaroo, sickness, culture heroes; stone arrangements; food preparation – kangaroo; mother -in-law relations; foundation of the law; creation beliefs and cosmology; origin of spirit children and conception; magical and healing powers of the banman (doctor/clever man) – cure of leprosy; after death beliefs and mortuary ritual; incorporation of christianity; autobiography of David Mowaljarlai – life on Kunmunya mission, recollections of J.R.B. Love, World War II; forms of dreams – Mowaljarlais visions – corpus Australis; world view; Appendix 1 – Features of a Wandjina; Appendix 2 – Waanangga, sugarbag; Appendix 3 – time periods – chronology; Appendix 4 – The body of Australia, corpus Australis; glossary of Aboriginal language.
This book has been written to promote understanding and respect for the art and rituals of the people of the Wandjina. The old tribal life in the bush has gone, so some last old-time bushmen and bushwomen handed down their knowledge, through Mowaljarlai. The colour photos bring the majestic landscape of the Kimberley alive, and Mowaljarlai’s drawings bring the magic of the Kimberley to life.