Indigenous Art of the Dreamtime Language Group (northwestern New South Wales)
The Gummaroi (Kamilaroi) Language Group extends over 72,000
sq. kms. of which Biggibilla’s responsibility is related to the northwestern region
of the language group which covers 12,000 sq. kms. The southeastern border begins midway
through the Warrumbungle Mountains extending westward to the Castlereagh River and then
north to the border of Queensland. Biggibilla’s song lines have been handed down from
his mother’s brother - his spiritual father - in the matrilineal system of Gummaroi
tradition. All of Biggibilla’s artwork derives its source from “sand
engravings” where ancestral association and environmental maps depict each and
everyone’s totemic responsibility to flora and fauna within the language group and
associated dialects. From the male perspective, a sand engraving took a minimum of four
initiated men, approximately ten days to prepare and engrave the Bora site as a labyrinth.
The labyrinth/sand engraving being the place to initiate language group responsibilities.
However, in respect of females, their knowledge remained esoteric to females.
The two Gayadari (Platypus totem) Gumboo Gumbatha skin groups are shown in union. The first born son from this union is responsible for all nighttime activity - shown from the male perspective. The sand engraving behind shows the map belonging to Brewarrina.
Brolga Pokataroo - the two Brolgas have completed the
selection process and the sand-engraving site is set aside for fully initiated women to
gather in preparation for post-pubescent rites.
This painting shows a sacred place called Mt.Gudja where esoteric rituals based on a sexual vehicle took place. The caretakers and custodians protecting this vehicle are shown in the form of Biggibilla (Echidna totem) and Ooboon (Blue Tongue Lizard totem). This painting also shows Mulli Mulli - the spiritual force exited from the human. Sacred to this ritual is the star constellation - The Southern Cross (Yarrandoo). |
