Puruntatameri Jilamara Scarf

This organic cotton scarf features artwork inspired by the traditional ceremonies of the Tiwi Islands, created by artist Paulina Puruntatameri. The design reflects the vibrant and sacred 'Jilamara' patterns, which are used during ceremonial dances known as 'yoi.' These dances, often totemic in nature, tell the stories of newly composed songs, and the participants are painted with turtiyanginari, natural ochre colors, to transform and protect themselves from spirits (mapurtiti). The intricate patterns on this scarf embody the deep cultural significance of these ceremonies and the enduring connection to the land and spirit world of the Tiwi people.

Dimensions: 78.7" x 27.6"

Royalties directly benefit the artist.

About the Artist:

Paulina Puruntatameri (1957–2022), also known as Jedda, was a respected Indigenous Australian artist and senior Cultural Leader from Melville Island in the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory. Her artwork reflected deep cultural knowledge and tradition, often drawing on ceremonial designs, ancestral Dreamings, and stories connected to land and sea. Though she began painting later in life, Paulina brought a unique perspective shaped by her expertise in Tiwi language and cultural preservation. Her richly layered pieces, created using natural earth pigments, explored themes such as the Kirilima (Jungle Fowl) Dreaming and the story of Maruti, the female crocodile. Through her art, Paulina played an important role in maintaining and sharing Tiwi cultural identity.