Namorrorddo beings are devil-like men who inhabited Arnhem Land during the Dreamtime. They are still present at night in the bush. Namorrorddo is shown with his fighting club, distinguished by...
Namorrorddo beings are devil-like men who inhabited Arnhem Land during the Dreamtime. They are still present at night in the bush. Namorrorddo is shown with his fighting club, distinguished by the split in one end, a special bag around his neck for carrying an axe or bones and a feather ceremonial object in his left hand. The bush string around his upper arms and knees signifies that he is a magic man. Kunwinjku people believe Namorrorddo can steal the spirits of their dead if they are not laid to rest in the culturally appropriate way. It is said that Namorrorddo traverses the sky in the form of a shooting star, looking for souls to steal. In this image, whispy grey figures are 'kunmarl', the spirits of people already captured.