Mawalan marika biography examples
Mawalan was one of the Yolngu clan leaders who campaigned for the recognition of their rights by the Australian government eventually resulting.
Mawalan Marika was head of the Rirratjingu clan from North East Arnhem Land..
Mawalan Marika
Australian Aboriginal painter, ca. 1908-1967
For Mawalan 2 Marika, see Mawalan Marika (born 1957).
Mawalan Marika (c.1908–1967), often referred to as Mawalan 1 Marika to distinguish from Mawalan 2 Marika,[1] was an Aboriginal Australian artist and the leader of the Rirratjingu clan of the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory of Australia.
He is known for his bark paintings, carvings and political activism.[2]
Biography
Mawalan Marika was born around 1908 in Yirrkala.[3] His name derives from the mawalan, or digging stick used by the Djang'kawu of the creation story of the Rirratjingu clan.[1] His clan falls under the Dhuwamoiety, one of the two moieties found in Arnhem Land.[4]
In addition to being an important asset to many anthropologists, including Charles P.
Mountford and Ronald Berndt, he was one of the most prominent political activists of his time.[2] Mawal