Wayarra Spirit
Artwork by Balang Nakurulk
See all artworks of animals and spirits
Hear the pronunciation of wayarra, spoken by Ananais Jawulba
Year
1990
Medium
earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta)
Dimensions
202.5 x 104cm
Credit
Parliament House Art Collection, Department of Parliamentary Services, Canberra
Copyright
© Balang Nakurulk/Copyright Agency, 2025
Wayarra are spirit beings. When someone dies we can see that spirit appear. Mostly we see them at night. They wander around in the night.
The spirits of the dead appear at night. They will cry at night, those baby wayarra, and the mother will search for them. They are just like humans.
Wayarra, kunmalng, kabirridowen wanjh kunmalng karrinan. Kukak ngarrbennan yika. Kawohre kukak. Kabirrimalngbebme, malngno kabirrire kukak. Kabirrinalkbun kukak, wurdyaw kanalkbun ngalbadjan kabiyawan. Yiman kayime Bininj.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and waters of those venues hosting the John Mawurndjul exhibition on its tour of Australia.