Pukamani poles at Batchelor

Last year, a group of 12 Tiwi students from Wurrumiyanga and Pirlangimpi flew to Batchelor Institute to begin their Certificate I in Visual Arts (CUA10320). The students soon noticed five Tiwi Pukamani poles on the college grounds looking old and worn out and decided to replace them.

On their return to community, students put their plan into action. John Tipiloura and Peter Alimankinni went out bush to collect the wood and carved the new Pukamani poles in figures of our Tiwi dreamtime ancestors Purrukuparli and Wayayi. Once the poles were carved, the students all took turns painting the poles using ochre paint, including Michaelina Woodroffe, John Tipiloura, Peter Alimankinni, Therese Puruntatameri, Suzie Tipiloura, Karen Tipiloura and Maverick Poantumilui

On June 2, 2022, TITEB hosted a ceremony on Bathurst Island to farewell the poles. Later that day, as part of the graduation ceremony at Batchelor, our Tiwi students presented the poles to Chair, Pat Anderson AO, and Council members. TITEB board members and staff also attended the presentation. The artwork for the Graduation Booklet was provided by Allanah Papajua from Pirlangimpi (pictured) further enhancing the Tiwi flavour of the day.

Speaking at the event, Michaellina Woodroffe said, “We present these poles to Batchelor as a memento of our Tiwi culture and for others to view when they visit.”

A large slab of mahogany sits at the base of the poles. Each student’s name and skin group is etched and burned into the slab, alongside the text, ‘Ngini- ngawula Jilamara Ngini Yuwurrara Ratuwati’ (Our Tiwi arts from both islands).