Dr George Tjapaltjarri

The site depicted in this painting is Ungarla, west of Kiwirkurra in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia. During the Jukurrpa (the Creation Era) a group of Tingari ancestors (men and boys) gathered in underground caves for Malliera (young men’s initiation) ceremonies. The series of red stripes in this painting represent ceremonial fire sticks (waru) as well as the fire sticks which are used to burn the country as apart of caring for the land.
Since events assocaited with the Tingari Cycle are of a secret and sacred nature no further details were given. Generally, the Tingari are a group of spirit beings 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. Their travels and adventures are enshrined in a number of song cycles which make up art of the teachings of the post-initiatory youths today as well as providing explanations for contempory customs.