IDNO

T.68162.MFL

Description

Distinct view of a group seated on the ground. In the background on the right are sand sculptures, used in purification ceremonies, which are part of Yolngu funerary ceremonies. The pole to the left of centre is a memorial pole. This is final stage of the funerary ceremonies. See also slides T.67682, T.67683, T67685. This is a public ceremony and the photograph does not need to be restricted.
The weather board house on the left was the house of Margaret Dhakayima (Joe Gumbula’s aunt). It was built by Reverend Harold Shepperdson. [Knowledge shared by Joe Neparrnga Gumbula, Arnhem Land, with notes taken by Rachael Murphy and JD 10/7/2012]

Place

Oceania Australasia; Australia; Northern Territory; Arnhem Land; Galiwin’ku [Elcho Island]

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Margaret Dhakayima; Reverend Harold Shepperdson

Photographer

None

Collector / Expedition

Date

8 July 1967

Collection Name

Macfarlane Collection

Source

Macfarlane, Alan

Format

Transparency

Primary Documentation

Other Information

T.67481 to T.68999 and T.74937 to T.74998 were found in the box now numbered C494/.
T.68157 to T.68177 were found in the plastic slide sheet now numbered C494/37/.

Place: Galiwin’ku (also known as Elcho Island) is one of the Crocodile Islands located off the coast of north east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Many of these photographs were taken around the site of the Methodist Church at Galiwin’ku. The former mission site is now Galiwin’ku town. At the time these photographs were taken the area around the church was used as meeting place and for activities such as dances and film screenings. David Burrumarra (author of The Whale and the Cross), was working with an anthropologist in the area at the time. The minister was Reverend Harold Shepperdson who appears in some of the photographs. [Knowledge shared by Joe Neparrnga Gumbula, Arnhem Land, with notes taken by Rachael Murphy and JD 10/7/2012]

Context: In the background on the right are sand sculptures, used in purification ceremonies, which are part of Yolngu funerary ceremonies. The pole to the left of centre is a memorial pole. This is final stage of the funerary ceremonies. See also slides T.67682, T.67683, T67685. This is a public ceremony and the photograph does not need to be restricted.
The weather board house on the left was the house of Margaret Dhakayima (Joe Gumbula’s aunt). It was built by Reverend Harold Shepperdson.
[Knowledge shared by Joe Neparrnga Gumbula, Arnhem Land, with notes taken by Rachael Murphy and JD 10/7/2012]