Milirrpum Marika facts for kids

Milirrpum Marika (born around 1923 – died 7 November 1983) was a famous Yolngu artist and leader. He was also known as Jacky. Milirrpum was from East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia.

He is best known for his part in a very important court case in 1971. This case was called Milirrpum v Nabalco Pty Ltd, also known as the Gove land rights case. It was the first big legal case about Indigenous land rights in Australia. This case helped create a special law called the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 in 1976.

Milirrpum was the younger brother of other artists and activists. These included Mawalan 1 Marika and Mathaman Marika. His next youngest brother was Roy Dadaynga Marika. He also had a sister named Dhunggala. His family belonged to the Rirratjingu clan of the Dhuwa group. They lived in a place called Yirrkala. His traditional land is Yalangbara, and his language is Dhangu.

Milirrpum Marika's Artworks

Milirrpum created most of his art after 1960. His artworks were shown in exhibitions during his life. Many of his pieces are now kept in different art collections. He was not as active as an artist as his brothers. This was because he had many other important duties.

Art Style and Themes

Milirrpum used natural ochre colours in his bark paintings. These are paintings done on pieces of tree bark. His special art themes included Djambuwal the Thunderman. He also painted the creation story of the Djang'kawu sisters. These stories are very important to his people.

Leading the Community

Milirrpum and his four brothers were important leaders. They led other clans in presenting the Yirrkala bark petitions to the Australian Government. These petitions were a key step before the Gove land rights case.

He was a respected community leader. He led many traditional ceremonies from the 1970s until he passed away. His younger brother, Roy, took over these duties in 1983.

Milirrpum Marika died on 7 November 1983. His son, Wanyubi Marika, was born in 1967 and is also an artist.

Art Collections

Milirrpum Marika's artworks are held in these places:

• Berndt Museum of Anthropology, at the University of Western Australia in Perth
• Buku-Larrnggay Arts Museum, Yirrkala
• Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
• National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
• Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart
• Kelton Foundation, Santa Monica, U.S.