Malliera Ceremonies, 2000 by Dr George Tjapaltjarri 61x61cm Cat 4828DG

Malliera ceremonies are for post- initiation men and are the first stage of the lifetime commitment to traditional law and the introduction to an understanding of the Tingari Cycle. The bold white lines in this painting depict the body paint applied to the youths by the Tingari men, either those of ritual scarification or body paint.

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.