Who Paintin’ Dis Wandjina?

Taryne Laffar | Australia 2007 | 8 min

Who Paintin’ Dis Wandjina? examines the impact of hundreds of spray-painted images of Wandjinas (pronounced ‘wannias’) in Perth and surrounds.

Wandjinas are a symbol of the creator of fertility and rain for the Mowanjum Aboriginal peoples in the Kimberleys and are not part of the culture of the Noongar Aboriginal people of Perth.

Aboriginal elders in the documentary express their concerns that the Wandjinas are taken to Perth. They are ‘hurt’ by the thoughtless use of a symbol which has to have a story and a meaning behind it in order to be replicated. “It’s more than a painting, it’s a lifestyle,” they say. Following proper cultural protocol, only Aboriginal people who went through the law are allowed to use Wandjinas.

In Who Paintin’ Dis Wandjina? director Taryne Laffar lets also speak the graffiti artist without revealing his (or her) identity.

Our people get upset when they see Wandjinas [in Perth] when it should be [in the Kimberleys].—Aboriginal elders

Cast	Aboriginal elders Graffiti artist
Release dates	2007 - Australia
Video/DVD Release Date
Awards
Rating	G - general
Language level	easy
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Soundtrack
Genre	Documentary
Notes	For a culturally appropriate way to learn more about Wandjinas check out the Mowanjum Artists Spirit of the Wandjina Aboriginal Corporation (MASWAC). “As an aboriginal, I am upset at the way my choice to greet and respect the Wandjina (law) has been taken from me. You aren’t supposed to just walk up to Wandjina and take a photo. You aren’t supposed to look at him unless the correct rites have been conducted. Its disrespectful.”—Aboriginal commentator [1]. Learn it from Aboriginal people: Keeping the Wanjinas Fresh tells the story of Sam Woolagoodja, who was responsible for repainting the sacred Wandjinas in many of the rock shelters of the Kimberleys.
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[1] http://rosemary.id.au/view/blog/wandjina/