Witi (Leafy Poles) - 2007, 2012, 2016
2007 Milpirri - Kurdiji
Witi (Leafy Poles)
Dance Story
The young men dance with the Witi tied to their shins traditionally using Ngalyipi (snake vine). They dance up and down and shuffle sideways, with slightly bent knees causing the poles to shake and sway and make noise that scare away spirits. The white circles painted on forehead, chest, shoulders and thighs representing shining stars.
Belonging to Skin Groups: Japaljarri, Jungarrayi, Napaljarri and Nungarrayi (Yellow Group)
2012 Milpirri - Pulyaranyi
Witi (Leafy Poles)
Dance Story
The young men dance with the Witi tied to their shins traditionally using Ngalyipi (snake vine). They dance up and down and shuffle sideways, with slightly bent knees causing the poles to shake and sway and make noise that scare away spirits. The white circles painted on forehead, chest, shoulders and thighs representing shining stars.
Belonging to Skin Groups: Japaljarri, Jungarrayi, Napaljarri and Nungarrayi (Yellow Group)
2016 Milpirri - Kurdiji
Witi (Leafy Poles)
Dance Story
The young men dance with the Witi tied to their shins traditionally using Ngalyipi (snake vine). They dance up and down and shuffle sideways, with slightly bent knees causing the poles to shake and sway and make noise that scare away spirits. The white circles painted on forehead, chest, shoulders and thighs representing shining stars.
Belonging to Skin Groups: Japaljarri, Jungarrayi, Napaljarri and Nungarrayi (Yellow Group)
Story of Dance
A group of Japaljarris and Jungarrayis are travelling from Kurlungalinpa (Buchanan Hills) to Yinirti-Warrlkuwarrlku (Lake Makay). The night was following them so they did not have any day. They are dancing all the way, painted up with animal fat to make themselves all glistening and shiny. Along the way, they run out of fat. The kill one fat little man and start to use his body-fat for their body designs. The fat man’s brother is watching the glistening dancing and notices that the wrong fat has been used. Human fat looks different from animal fat. He realises they have killed his brother. So he caused the fire to rain down and burnt all the dancers. Two Consequences, negative and positive. You have to make a choice to follow the right path.
What are Witi?
Witi are 10-12 foot long ceremonial poles with Ngapiri (Red River Gum) and Wurrkali (Desert Bloodwood) leaves tied to them traditionally using Ngalyipi (Snake Vine), from top to bottom.
