From A Long Time Ago - Hollow Log Painting

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Macassan traders visited the north coast of Australia. They came to collect and ... (more)

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Macassan traders visited the north coast of Australia. They came to collect and process trepang, or sea cucumber, which they traded mainly to China.. The Yolngu accepted the presence of these outsiders and in turn traded with them for metal tools, pipes and tobacco. The Macassan story became part of Yolngu mythology. The sailing away of the Macassan boats at the end of the trepang season has now become a symbol for the departing spirit after death.. In 1974, Mungurrawuy Yunupingu and other clan leaders painted a traditional hollow log coffin at Yirrkala. The log represents a Macassan boat, a boat for the spirits of the dead. In this film, Mungurrawuy sings over the log as the painting is completed. His songs are subtly multi-layered in their meanings. They refer to the making of a great Macassan boat, to the painting of the log with fine pictures, and maybe to the picture-making of this by the film unit. Daymbalipu Mununggurr is watching over the painting of his mother's clan log and explains the meanings. Through these paintings and songs, the importance to the Yolngu of the visits by Macassan trepangers to northeast Arnhem Land is revealed. (less)