Samson Bonson (born 1968)

MIMIH SPIRIT, 2007

natural earth pigments with synthetic binder on carved kurrajong

168.0 cm height

Maningrida Arts and Culture, Maningrida (cat. 1664-07)
Annandale Galleries, Sydney
Private collection, Melbourne acquird from the above in November 2007

Young Guns II, Annandale Galleries, Sydney, 16 April – 10 May 2007 (illus. in exhibition catalogue, p.15)

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts and Culture, Maningrida which states in part: ‘Aboriginal people in the rocky environments of western and south-western Arnhem Land tell of the existence of tall slender spirits which they call Mimih. The name Mimih is well known throughout the top end of the Northern Territory. Aboriginal groups living in the rocky environments of western and southern Arnhem Land share mythology which relates to the beings known as Mimih.

The people of western Arnhem Land believe that Mimih spirits live in a social organisation similar to Aboriginal people and that Mimih society existed before humans. Mimih are credited with instructing the first people with knowledge relating to survival in the rocky environment of the Arnhem Land plateau. Mimih are said to have taught the first humans how to hunt and butcher game and also how to dance sing and paint.

Despite the usual descriptions of Mimih as being benign towards humans sometimes however they are attributed with mischievous and dangerous qualities, capable of kidnapping and even killing humans.

Mimih are however, terribly thin, having necks so slender that a stiff breeze would be fatal. For this reason, they emerge only on windless days and nights to hunt. As soon as a breeze develops, the Mimih are said to run back to their rocky caverns and disappear inside.’

This item is located at our Melbourne Gallery