RA6,i Col. 50 mins.
Director: Hugh Gibb
Consultant: Marjorie Topley
BBC Television
The elaborate preparation of the participants, using blood drawn from their arms as an adhesive for the decoration of their bodies, is shown in detail together with the construction of emblems used in each of the dances which follow.
In the dances there is a division of ritual labour between 'managers, and ?workers'. The first dance invokes the dreamtime and the dancer who performs it is, for the duration of the performance, outside time, requiring the touch of a 'manager, to be released. The second dance celebrates Ngama woman, a legendary figure associated with the site, whose sexual parts are represented by clefts in the rock. The next day snake emblems are made and dancers, decorated in red and white patterns, perform an imitative dance representing the python painted on the rock.
N. Munn, 1970. Review of the film. American Anthropologist, Vol.72, pp.1201-1202.
For other references see list under Emu Ritual at Ruguri.
If you are interested in hiring or purchasing this film please contact the Film Officer.
