Wandjuk marika biography samples
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Wandjuk Marika
Biography
‘Painting is very important. It’s the design or symbol, power of the land.’
Wandjuk Marika was born on Dhambaliya (Bremer Island), the eldest son of Mawalan Marika.
His early life was influenced by the increasing intrusion of balanda (whitefella) influence and activity in Arnhem Land. After the establishment of Yirrkala Mission in 1935, increasing numbers of academics, mining representatives, hunters, fishermen and art enthusiasts visited the region.
Marika grew up learning the skills associated with his future responsibilities as a leader of the Rirratjingu clan and Dhuwa moiety.
Wandjuk marika biography samples
His father taught him to hunt and his ceremonial obligations regarding the two major Dhuwa ancestral song cycles – the Djang’kawu Story and the Wawilak Sisters. Marika was also one of the first students, and later an assistant, at the Yirrkala Mission school.
His facility with English enabled him to interpret Yolngu culture for visiting anthropologists and art collectors, incl