Marcus Dijarama Pascoe

Marcus Pascoe is from the Warrawarra clan. He speaks Martay Burarra – an eastern variety of the Burarra language that is widely spoken across the country between Cape Stewart and the eastern side of the Blyth River – Belanggil is on the eastern side this is Anbarra land. Marcus has close connections with clan groups to the east
who are speakers of Yan-nhangu and other Yolngu clan dialects; connecting through Sunrise to Djinang/Wurlaki and right through to Gumatj.
Marcus is an important ceremony man with in his clan and well regarded dancer. As an artist Marcus’s primary subject matter is the wangarra ‘ghost spirits’ He also creates ngorla (didgeridoo) which are known for producing exceptional sound quality.
He learned about the Warrawarra and Balkarranga wangarra spirits from senior men from these clan groups. In particular, Jimmy An-gunguna (also known as Bembena) of the Warrawarra clan and Alec Wurrmala of Balkarranga. Marcus calls Alec jerda ‘mother’s mother’s brother’. These relationships are expressed in art, through the carving of the spirit figures, as well as in ceremonial practice such as bunggul ‘song and dance performance’.