TY - JOUR
TI - Australian Fire Ceremonies – Gadjari and Buluwandi among the Warlpiri
AU - Szyjewski, Andrzej
TI - Australian Fire Ceremonies – Gadjari and Buluwandi among the Warlpiri
AB - 
	
		This article examines the symbolism of fire in the Gadjari higher initiation ceremonies and Jardiwanpa ceremonies among the Warlpiri. Fire is used in these ceremonies in three forms: high flame torches called witi/wanbanbirri, wandabi projectiles made out of bark, and djindjimirimbasticks. The analysis of the myths connected to fire reveals that the Warlpiri associate it with the motif of cosmic catastrophe in which their ancestors, manipulating high, sacred paraphernalia, cut through the Milky Way. The result of the separation of the stars is a huge bush fire. According to the myth, the sight of a flame falling from the sky forced the ancestors to conduct initiation ceremonies. The patron of these ceremonies is associated with the Coalsack Dark Nebula in the Milky Way, and the wanigi paraphernalia used with the Southern Cross. Fire is of ambivalent significance for the Warlpiri – on the one hand it brings death and destruction, and on the other it provides cleansing and brings to life that which is dead.
	
		 

VL - 2014
IS - Volume 47, Issue 3
PY - 2014
SN - 0137-2432
C1 - 2084-4077
SP - 197
EP - 210
DO - 10.4467/20844077SR.14.014.2908
UR - https://ejournals.eu/en/journal/studia-religiologica/article/australijskie-ceremonie-ognia-gadjari-i-buluwandi-u-warlpiri
KW - Australian Aborigines
KW - fire ceremony
KW - myth
KW - ritual
KW - Milky Way
KW - fire symbolism
KW - Rainbow Serpent
KW - initiation
KW - Warlpiri