Alan Griffiths
1933 - Bali Bali Balga - The Morning Star Balmoorah 2014- wood and coloured wool
ALAN GRIFFITHS
1933 2019
Lived and worked in Kununurra, WA
Bali Bali Balga
dance poles in coloured woven wool on wood
These beautiful pieces are called Balmoorah. They are used in dance ceremonies of the Kimberley associated with the morning and evening star stories. Amongst the elements of the story are the seven sisters of the Pleiades constellation, the morning star, two sailing ships and the Bali Bali ghost and songman. During ceremony, dancers carry large thread-woven totems on their shoulders and move with stamping feet and swaying body movements to the accompaniment of song and clapping boomerangs. The thread-cross constructions of brightly coloured wools represent key elements or characters in the dance.
© Waringarri Arts and Culture, Kununurra, WA