Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)

Portrait of Djapu Elder Mununggurr's family and examples of body decoration from the Northern Territory

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Portrait of Djapu Elder Mununggurr's family and examples of body decoration from the Northern Territory

Caledon Bay, Darwin, N.T., 1930s

Photograph taken of Wonggu and his family and portraits of individuals with body decorations. Wonggu was from the Caledon Bay region in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory and was known as the 'King of Balamumu'. He played a significant role in sharing and documenting Yolgnu culture and law, working with anthropologists such as Donald Thomson in the 1930's and Ronald and Catherine Berndt in the 1940's. The photograph of Wonggu and family was likely taken shortly after the 1932 'Black War' of Caledon Bay, where the Djapu people attacked some Japanese fishermen for reasons undetermined. Three of Wonggu's sons were implicated in the attack and bought to Darwin gaol by the Peace Mission led by Reverend Hubert Ernest de Mey Warren. Subjects include: individual and group portraits; face and body painting; scarification (body marking); family; children; loincloths and pubic coverings; spears; hand-coloured print