Bulthirrirri Wunuŋmurra
Mokuy
51 x 38cm

ID: 5803-25

This work references the mokuy (spirits) who gather for the renewal ceremony called Yukuwa. Bulthirrirri says; “This story is about mokuy. This is what we call the spirit men who are dancing here. The spirit is passing through going to the clouds where we see the dying sun lighting up the sunset. But we know that the Sun and the spirit will be reborn.”

The artist’s father Nawurapu Wunuŋmurra (dec) said about this ceremony; “The mokuy or nanuk (spirits) come in together, Dhuwa and Yirritja (both moieties) to the sacred ground called Balambala, past Gäṉgaṉ, the other side for all the mokuy to get together. The spirits go there and that’s where they make the yiḏaki sound. It’s like showing Yukuwa (sacred yam emblem) and Baṉumbirr (Morning Star) feathers – they are different. Like same goes with yiḏaki, different sounds for Yirritja and Dhuwa. The Yirritja and Dhuwa play yiḏaki to call in the mokuy to the same ground Balambala. The Yirritja mokuy come in on the birds, djilawurr (scub fowl) and bugutj-bugutj (banded fruit dove). The Dhuwa mokuy, they come in from raŋi side (saltwater).” 

There are ‘renewal’ ceremonies in Yolŋu law irregularly when the time is right that are independent of the funeral, circumcision and age grading ceremonies that occur all the time. For Yirritja they are announced by the delivery of a carved wooden yam with feathered vines by way of invitation. 

Image size: 51 x 38cm
Paper size: 70.5 x 56cm
Paper: Somerset