Samuel Namunjdja (1965 - 2009)

MIMIH, 2011

natural earth pigments and PVC fixative on carved hardwood

157.0 cm height

Maningrida Arts and Culture, Northern Territory (cat. 3471–11)
Private collection, Melbourne

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Maningrida Arts and Culture, Northern Territory, 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. These groups include the Kunwok chain of languages, and Rembarmga, Dalabon and Djawoyn language groups. Other groups of people with familial and ceremonial links to rock country inhabitants are also familiar with the idea of the Mimih. In recent years, the Mimih has become a topic in the repertoires of some artists among the Kunibidji people, speakers of the Ndjebbana language and the traditional landowners of the Maningrida area. 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. The song and dance style of western Arnhem Land Aboriginal people is still known today as Mimih style. This term is also used by Aboriginal people further to the east in Central Arnhem Land when describing the dance and song of their western neighbours.