PROVENANCE
Northern Editions, Darwin
Framed Gallery, Darwin
Wangarra are the devil-devil spirits that inhabit the An-nguliny clan waterhole, called Wangarra A-juwana, in Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. This etching depicts three Wangarra figures sharing arms which represent the water running from the little creeks, flowing out into all corners of the patch of jungle. Wangarra spirits live inside banyan trees which sometimes open up and the spirits come out and go down into the water where they lie inside the rocks. The spirits can lure and trap people inside the banyan tree, which is one reason why Wangarra A-juwana is a dangerous place for those who do not have the right authority to be there. When England Banggala enters this place he calls out to his ancestors, to identify himself as a rightful member of the An-nguliny clan, so that he and his companions are protected from the spirits that live there.
