Wandjinas are rock paintings found Only found in the Kimberley region of north-eastern Western Australia. The Wandjina is a deeply spiritual figure to the Mowanjum people, an Australian aboriginal community made up of just over 300 people.
Within the Mowanjum community are three tribal groups and three different languages. These are the Worrorra, Ngarinyin, and Wunumbal. All three tribes follow shared customs, traditions, and laws set by the Wandjina.

Some conspires say the figures painted here actually resemble aliens! Is there something about the Kimberley Region history that we don’t know? What do you think?
These rock drawings are created using red and white ochre, harvested from the lands of the Kimberley Region. This is important to them as the drawings are then directly connected to the land and nature.

Wandjina is seen as a moral guide and supreme creator. It also stands as a symbol of fertility, rain, and the regeneration of the land. They are most recognisable by their large eyes, like the eye of the storm and no mouth. They are typically depicted with elaborate headdresses indicating different types of storms. The body of Wandjina is often shown covered with dots to represent the rainfall. Traditionally they are created using red and white ochre, a natural pigment made from the minerals found in the soil of the Kimberley region.

To create the red ochre, silica and clay is ground up between multiple rocks until is it reduced down to a fine powder pigment. The vibrant colour comes from iron oxide found in the earth.

It is said that the rock paintings date back around 4,000 years.
The Wandjinas are used as a way to pass on stories to children and teach them their history and traditions. Ceremonial dances and songs are used to pay homage to the Wandjina Rain Spirit. Typically individuals dress in headdresses that symbolically refer to lightning and thunder,

Junba is the Mowanjum way of storytelling. People engage through traditional song and dance to learn the history and stories of their ancestors.

Since they are seen as highly sacred figures, only aboriginal people who have gained permission are allowed to illustrate or use Wandjina in any way.
If an individual feels they should be able to create Wandjinas, they must also go through years of initiation and ceremonies to earn the right. The aboriginal law is very specific about what is allowed and prohibited to do with the Wandjinas. It is seen as inappropriate and disrespectful for non-indigenous people to use Wandjinas without the permission of the Mowanjum Community.