In Mawalan’s painting, the central figure represents the Milky Way as the river of stars in the sky. We can see Ŋäw’ and Ŋuykal, the canoe and the sea monster amid a background of stars. In the top left of the painting, a group of people are shown in ceremony playing the yiḏaki (didjeridu) and singing. On the right, lower down, figures appear on either side of a fire with their arms raised, as if holding clapsticks. Above them seems to float the drowned body of the Guwak. It is characteristic of Yolŋu paintings of ceremony to move from the human performance of the ritual to the Waŋarr dimension with which it engages, just as people are incorporated within the spiritual domain.

Clan leaders respected for their knowledge, ability and authority may be given the right to make paintings belonging to other clans. Mawalan was the leader of the Rirratjiŋu clan on whose Country the mission station of Yirrkala was established in 1935, 125 miles north of the Maŋgalili’s main estates. Giving Mawalan the right to produce one of their designs was the Maŋgalili’s acknowledgment of their living in his Country at Yirrkala and a means of strengthening their relationship. Mawalan’s painting references the Maŋgalili clan not only in subject matter but also in style.

Listen to the artist's daughter Dhuwarrwarr Marika discuss her father's paintings of Milŋiyawuy:

– Howard Morphy