Description
Tatum Rivers – Purdie
Ochre on Canvas
80 x 80 cm
Year: 2024
WAC258/24
Ant Hills by Tatum Rivers-Purdie
Tatum is drawn to painting jamerndel (ant hills, or termite mounds) as they are significant to Gija Country but also because of their meaning to her and her family.
Her ancestors were placed in jamerndel of a particular colour when they passed away, and her Jaru side family believe anthills are for healing. “You get rubbed down with the anthill, after you wash it off you feel refreshed, it takes away bad vibe also cold sick too.”
Different Ant Hills are use for different things
The RED is used for healing. Burning new born babies keeping them strong. & Was used for burial in the early days for we had cemetery our ancestors were put in An Hills in Red ones
The GREEN & GREY is used for food source- we get bush Honey from
The YELLOW & ORANGE are used as Bush Medicine. as Panadol & for aches and pains. Its used as a rub & also to drink
