Clan

Dhaḻwaŋu

Artist Dates

c.1898–1983

Alternative Names

Birigidji, Birigiji, Birikitji, Birrigidji, Birrikidji, Birrkidji

Birrikitji Gumana

Birrikitji Gumana was a renowned ŋurrudawalaŋu (warrior) and a respected ceremonial leader. In 1911, he was the first to arrive at Gäṉgaṉ to discover the massacre of Yolŋu by Europeans. Birrikitji was the most senior contributor to the Yirritja side of the Yirrkala Church Panels. He gave evidence in the native title case Milirrpum vs. Nabalco, and in the late 1970s, and with his sons Gawirriṉ Gumana and Yaŋgarriny Wunuŋmurra, he reestablished Gäṉgaṉ as a homeland for the Dhaḻwaŋu people.