Indigenous Cotton Knitted Throw Rug Jilamara Design

During Ceremony on the Tiwi Islands a series of “Yoi”, dances are performed, some are totemic (matrilineal) and others act out newly composed songs. Participants are painted with turtiyanginari (natural ochres) transforming the dancers and protecting them against mapurtiti (spirits). These designs are collectively called Jilamara.

Artists receive the royalty payments monthly. On the alternate fortnight of each month the artists receive payment for paintings. The alternation of royalty and painting payments gives the artists a fortnightly income.