Deutscher and Hackett

This work is accompanied by text on a distressed label verso which states:

'This is sacred to the Rirratjingu tribe and is at Bremer Island (just off the coast of Yirrkala, North East Arnhem Land). The top section shows two men Woorolonga and Danaitschanga, paddling in a canoe to the Cape Wilberforce. Here they meet Buglitbi, their brother who tells them that an enemy tribe is approaching. The figures carrying spears and woomeras are the enemy and the seated figures are women watching on. The bottom picture shows the two men and their two wives returning to Bremer Is. in a canoe where they wait for the enemy. Buglitbi arrives soon after in his canoe which he leaves anchored out with his son minding it. Buglitbi tells them that the enemy is near so Woorolonga and Danaitschanga pick up their spears and woomeras (lower right) and run to the beach. But Buglitbi is a traitor and he throws a spear at their backs. Danaitschanga is killed. Woorolonga swims out to Buglitbi's canoe but Buglitbi calls out to his son to pull the anchor up and to kill his uncle. The enemy arrives and takes the wounded man onto the shore and spear him until he dies. Then they take the two bodies to the cemetery (rectangle). Their sister, who is also Buglitbi's wife, starts to wail.

The enemy tribe sit around with their spears sticking up in the ground beside them. Then they go to another place and make camp.'