Bathurst Island - Tiwi culture

The Tiwi have a strong heritage and have maintained many cultural traditions.

Despite the fact that each Tiwi community has a store selling food, hunting for traditional food is still an important part of Tiwi life. Although, in many cases, rifles, plastic buckets and 4 wheel-drive vehicles have replaced spears, tunga bags and feet, the social aspects of hunting remain important to the Tiwis.

Tiwi is the main language spoken on both Melville and Bathurst Islands. Children are taught English in schools as a secondary language - the Tiwi communicate principally in their native tongue.

Ceremonies play an important role in Tiwi culture. Each ceremony has its own form and can vary depending on the circumstances of the time. There are two main ceremonial events performed:

The Kulama (yam) ceremony is an annual celebration of life and is performed when a gold ring forms around the moon during the final stages of the tropical (wet) season. At this time it is said that Japara, the moon man, is performing Kulama. The songs and dances performed express the wishes of the participants for a healthy and prosperous future.

The Pukumani (mortuary) ceremony occurs approximately six months after the deceased has been buried and ensures the mobiditi (spirit of the dead) travels from the living world to the spirit world. Tall totemic poles are carved and placed around the burial site and these symbolise the status and prestige of the deceased. Pukumani is a public ceremony and provides a forum for artistic expression through song, dance, sculpture and body painting.

A modern twist to this traditional culture is the Tiwi's adoption of Australian Rules football, a pastime practiced with religious fervour.