Film Review: Walbiri Fire Ceremony: Ngatjakula
Film Info
1967
21 minutes
color
|
|
Originally shot in 1967, the footage in this film is re-examined ten years later by anthropologist Nicolas Peterson.
Ngatjakula is one of the most spectacular ceremonies of central Australia, employing fire to inflict real and symbolic punishment on those responsible for a social transgression. It serves to resolve conflict and, in the process, makes manifest underlying structures of Walpiri (Walbiri) society.
Following the film, we will have a discussion on the following topics:
How does kinship play a part in the Fire ceremony?
What is the role of the owners?
What is the role of the managers?
What des the pole symbolize?
What is the purpose of the ceremony?
How are disputes resolved? Aggravated?
What is the importance of songs?
If owners are at fault, why do some managers try to protect them? Hurt them?
This film as a reflection of broader cultural phenomena
PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THESE TOPICS AS YOU VIEW THE FILM
Begin your postings here . . .
Politics: I found it interesting how the people use the fire dance as a means of settling disputes and solving grievances (between individuals as well as between tenants / managers of the land and the owners of the land) rather than fighting or judicially like we do. I just wish that we had actually gotten time in class to see the actual ritual and not just the preparation for it.
-END-
[Dilek Canakci, dc11@geneseo.edu, 12/5]
Kinship: I thought it was interesting how the men were responsible for their sisters' behavior. It definitely compares to many other cultures that expect more from women than men. These kinds of expectations provide a great deal of power over the women in every way and it is just sad that women can't live the free life that men do.
[Larkin Kimmerer, llk5@geneseo.edu, 12-6-07]
Politics: The Walbiri Fire Ceremony is used as a means of social control, which is something that we see often in rituals and religion. Even if its not always apparent, religion is a very powerful way to keep people in line, socially. Here it is less subtle and it is a clear form of social control and punishment via ritual instead of council meetings or someone demanding punishment.
-END-
[Shamiran Warda, sw11@geneseo.edu 12/08]
Film Review: Walbiri Fire Ceremony: Ngatjakula
I felt I could relate to their kinship ways as how the men were responsible for their sister’s behavior. This is well see thought-out the Middle Eastern societies. Often if a girl is looked down upon because of her doings so is the rest of the family. Here the family name means everything and if one member of your family is doing something wrong they often think then the rest of the family members are equally bad and thus often times blame everyone in that family for not teaching the girl the appreciate ways. I know my brother yells at me a lot whenever I do anything wrong and this is just because that is how his role plays in our culture. Men sadly have the power over women. And if the women is seen doing something wrong they blame the men for not teaching her correctly. In all interesting film to watch even though it was quite short. -END-
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.