Rockholes at Ungarla, 2001 by Dr George Tjapaltjarri 149x75cm Cat 6459DG

Ungarla is an important site where ceremonies take place in the underground caves that form part of this rocky outcrop terrain. This is in the Gibson Desert, Western Australia.

There are levels of interpretation to these Ungarla paintings that are secret/sacred men's business and cannot be revealed.

Throughout his life, as a senior law man and keeper of the knowledge, 'Clever Man' Dr George participated in the teaching of culture and law at many ceremonies and was highly respected for his almost encyclopaedic amount of knowledge.

Since events associated with the Tingari Cycle are of a secret and sacred nature few details are given.

Generally, the Tingari are a group of men of the Dreaming (creation) era who traveled over vast stretches of the country, performing rituals and creating and shaping particular sites. It was at Pintalpura that a large group of Tingari ancestors stopped to gather kampararpa {desert raisin - a small fruit which looks somewhat like a small green tomato) and purra (a powerful antiseptic obtained from the inner bark of the red gum). The Tingari men were accompanied by novices and usually followed by Tingari Women. Their travels and adventures are enshrined in the song cycles.

These legends form port of the teachings of the post initiatory youths today as well as providing explanations for contemporary customs.