Marrawuddi - Kenan Namunjdja, Mimih Spirit

Catalogue # 1971-21-2/8
Size 70 cm

Aboriginal people of western Arnhem Land say that their Mimih rock pictures were painted not by humans but by the Mimih spirits. The drawings, usually in red ochre, show elegant, graceful stick-like human figures in action - fighting, running, dancing, leaping and hunting , preparing meat and using fire.

The Mimih live in the nooks and crannies of the rocky landscape, coming out at night. They are said to be so thin and frail that they can emerge from their hiding places only when there is no wind, otherwise they would be blown away. The Mimih not only created these lively self-portraits, but also are the Dreaming ancestors who taught people to paint, hunt, dance and compose songs.

They are like humans but they live in a different dimension. They were depicted during the freshwater period. The Mimih are dangerous if approached the wrong way, may kick, knee, slap, smash with a racket like object or sit on someone; which causes sometimes

fatal injuries.

Artist - Kenan Namunjdja
Country - Mankorlod
Skin - Kodjok
Dreaming -

Son of Bulanj (1965 – 2018) and Deborah Yulidjirri, Kenan learnt his intricate rarrk painng style from his father. His grandfather Peter Marralwanga was also a prominent bark painter and was remembered for his role as leader in the 1970’s outstaon movement. Namunjdja depicts djang (dreaming) from his country, Mankorlod.