The Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre is a creative hub for the Woddordda (Worrorra), Ngarinyin and Wunambal Gambera language groups who make up the Mowanjum community situated 10km from Derby, Western Australia.
United in their belief in Wandjina as a sacred spiritual force and creator of the land, the Mowanjum community are custodians of Wandjina law and iconography.
The Art Centre is home to artist studios, gallery space, a community based museum, and one of Australias longest running Indigenous cultural festivals- the annual Mowanjum Festival.
MORE = https://mowanjumarts.com
History
The Worrorra, Ngarinyin and Wunambal people were removed from their northern homelands in the early 1900s, first to Kunmunya Presbyterian Mission, then to Wotjulum, near Yampi Sound. They were eventually settled on Nykina country near Derby, far from their sacred Wandjina caves.
In 1975, the community was shifted once to its present site, east of Derby off the Gibb River Road.
The modern day Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre ensures that all three language groups retain strong cultural connection with their homelands, through programs that support continued cultural and ceremonial practice, visits to sacred sites and local community workshops.
