All about history book of myths and legends. ( PDFDrive )

WAWILAK SISTERS
The story of the two sisters – often
known as the Wawilak Sisters – is
told in diferent versions by the
many Aboriginal tribes. However,
the common theme in every version
of the story is the depiction of a
confrontation between opponents
of opposite sexes. The primal sisters
represent female wisdom – they are
praised as accomplished hunters and
they have the power to give form to
the land. When the Rainbow Snake
swallows them, he gains some of their
wisdom in the process. Since that
time, it has always been the male
members of the tribe who look after
the traditions of tribal wisdom and
lore, and hand them down from one
generation to the next.

KUNAPIPI

Certain versions of the story depict the

Earth Mother Kunapipi as the mother

of the Wawilak sisters. She is also

sometimes considered to be an eternal

“Old Woman” figure, and the female

counterpart to the male Rainbow

Snake. Other myths describe her as

the creator of men, women, and the

animals of the world. Kunapipi asked her

followers to paint themselves to show

allegiance to specific families or groups.

She is also believed by some to have been

an ancient wanderer who travelled with a

group of primal heroes and heroines. Her

wise and creative character represents the

feminine side of spirituality.

ABORIGINAL DEITIES

There are thousands of deities in Aboriginal mythology, and the common

feature among them is that they are thought to be closely connected to

the land they cross and bring into existence; this is clearly illustrated in

the myths of the Wawilak sisters. Many of the deities are shape-changers,

who may take the form of an animal, but can, at the same time, be

the ancestors of a human tribe or family. Most are specific to certain

regions and rooted in the land, but some, such as the

RITUALS AND CELEBRATIONS

Aboriginal rituals are performed on many occasions, from

the celebration of a birth to the burial of the dead. Other

ceremonies – attended by the whole tribe – can retell in song

and dance the stories of the spirits of Dreamtime.

A few rituals are thought to have been first performed by the

primal sisters to keep the Rainbow Snake at bay. The rituals

show how all of creation is linked together by the ancestors.

Painting of an Aboriginal ceremony

Crocodile

Another of the ancient family groups that

worshipped Kunapipi were the crocodiles,

who painted themselves green.

Galah parrot

The Galah parrots painted

themselves in a ritual as

per Kunapipi’s instructions.

Tribal representations
The sisters are often depicted in carvings used
during rituals. The younger sister (on the right)
wears a girdle across her chest to strengthen her
breasts since she has just given birth.

Wandjina

The Wandjina are spirits that control fertility and

the natural elements. They are depicted with white

stripes on their bodies, representing falling rain.

Sun deities

According to one myth, the sun is a torch carried

across the sky each day by the solar goddess

Gnowee, who is looking for her lost son.

THE PRIMAL SISTERS

Rainbow Snake, are known all over Australia.

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