Tingari Women at Kanaputa

In mythological times a large group of Tingari Women made camp at Kanaputa, close to the Kiwirrkura Community. The women had gathered to perform ceremonies. The single straight line indicates a ceremonial hair-string pubic belt, while the oval shape represents a grinding stone which is used to prepare the ochres for the body decoration. Since events associated with the Tingari Cycle are of a secret nature no further detail was given.

Generally, the Tingari are a group of mythical characters of the Dreaming who travelled over vast stretches of the country, performing rituals and creating and shaping particular sites.

The Tingari Men were usually followed by Tingari Women and accompanied by novices and their travels and adventures are enshrined in a number of song cycles. These mythologies form part of the teachings of the post initiatory youths today as well as providing explanations for contemporary customs.

Documentation Card, Papunya Tula Artists Pty Ltd, 1996