Warraburnburn: the ghost spirit of the Warrawarra clan
The Warraburnburn is a ghost spirit figure from Burarra and Gun-nartpa cultures. In these languages, ghost spirits are broadly known as wangarra, but for the Warrawarra clan they carry a distinct identity and name: Warraburnburn.
Serena Bonson and Warraburnburn. Maningrida Arts©
The Warraburnburn is closely connected to the Galabarrbarr, a spirit belonging to the Balkarranga clan. The two spirits share a relationship mirroring that of the clans themselves: maternal grandparent and grandchild. Both are manikay song topics, and their dancing together forms the closing ceremony at funerals, the final farewell to a deceased family member.
The spirits behave much like living people. They emerge from jungle country in the late afternoon, moving through the landscape in family groups. Men hunt for fish while women carry dillybags and gather food, the groups staying in contact by calling out to one another.
White ochre is strongly associated with the Warraburnburn, and artists paint carved figures accordingly. The Warraburnburn is identified by uniform white dots, distinguishing it from other spirit types. Some figures also carry chest designs filled with rarrk cross-hatching, the same patterns used in male initiation ceremonies. The spirits are described as jarra anbaykarda, meaning super tall, a supernatural quality setting them apart from the living.
Not all Warraburnburn are benign. Some lead people into unfamiliar and dangerous country and are compared to an-muburda, sorcerers capable of causing harm. Others guide lost people safely back to known paths and their camps.
Discover artworks from Arnhem Land:
