Warren Djorlom

The artist has painted male mimih or mimi figure hunting/fishing. Mimis are the original spirit beings. According to the Kwinjku people of western Amhem Land they existed before humans and subsequently taught Aboriginal people everything they needed to know. Mimis taught ceremonies, dance, song, hunting and all bush skills. The spirits continue to live in rocks, trees and caves but are rarely seen by humans. They are frequently seen in rock art in Arnhem Land as small dynamic figures. The mimi is shown here with some hunting weapons such as spears, spear thrower, stone axes and dilly bags. Also depicted are some of the spoils of the day still inside their fish traps.