Cushion Cover Wool 40cm (16in)

In this design Josette Papajua Munipi Arts is illustrating a Jilmara Design.

During Ceremony on the Tiwi Islands a series of “Yoi”, dances are performed, some are totemic (matrilineal) and others act out newly composed songs. Participants are painted with turtiyanginari (natural ochres) transforming the dancers and protecting them against mapurtiti (spirits).

These designs are collectively called Jilamara. The pure wool is dyed in situ and the stitching is done by hand, the chain-stitch being a traditional Kashmiri handicraft.