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Namorrorddo spirit, Samuel Namunjdja
  • Artist
    Samuel Namunjdja
  • Born
    1965
  • Title
    Namorrorddo spirit
  • Date of Production
    2003
  • Medium
    earth pigments, pva fixative, on bark (Eucalyptus tetradonta)
  • Dimensions
    168 x 44 cm
  • Credit Details
    Purchased with funds from the Colin Hicks Caldwell Bequest, 2004

Samuel Namunjdja

Namorrorddo spirit

A member of a well known Aboriginal family of artists, Samuel Namundja was taught to paint by his father Peter Marralwanga who also passed on to him the stories relating to the Kardbam clan.

A Namorrorddo is a malevolent spirit of either gender with a slim body and long claws or nails. Although the spirit cannot talk, it does make a whistling sound when it passes by, which serves as a warning to humans to remain motionless and avoid the slashing of the claws. Images of these spirits which are associated with illness and death, are also to be found in rock paintings in the Cadell River region to the east of Maningrida in Arnhem Land.