Gali Yalkarriwuy

DOB: c.1942 -
BORN: Ngaypinya, NT
LANGUAGE GROUP: Galpu
COMMUNITY:  Elcho Island, NT

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Gali is a prominent member of the local uniting church of Galiwin'ku and a traditional Aboriginal Mala Leader and Galpu clan representative. 

Gali was taught traditional art forms, stories and laws from his father before he passed away., and was given the laws and responsibilities of being 'boss' and owner of the sacred feathered ceremonial Morning Star poles of the Galpu Clan. 

The Morning Star Pole is a ceremonial emblem and an essential part of the ritual. This particular pole comes from the artist's father's traditional homeland of Ngaypinya. 

The individual poles can differ depending on the ceremony, the artist's clan and their stories. The poles are statements about identity and spiritual statements that bind the people in life and death. 

The white feathers at the top of the pole represent Banumbirr (Morning Star, commonly known as Venus), the final resting place for Dhuwa souls. 

The bunch of white and coloured feathers tethered to the pole represent the link between the Banumbirr Star and the country of each of the Dhuwa clans. The bands of different colours of ochre represent the changing light of the early morning. Black represents the night, red and yellows the coming dawn and white the rays of sunlight. 

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