My Country

Belinda paints her country, Alhalkere. The linear designs in this painting represent Awelye (Women's Ceremony and Body Paint Designs) . These designs are painted onto the chest, breasts, arms and thighs. Powders ground from ochre (clays), charcoal and ash are used as body paint and applied with a flat stick with soft padding. The women, represented by the 'U' shaped motifs, sing the songs associated with their awelye as each woman takes her turn to be 'painted-up'. Women perform awelye ceremonies to demonstrate respect for their country and the total well-being and health of their community.

Belinda also depicts the yam flowers. These flowers belong to the pencil yam called Atnwelarre (Vigna lancelolata). The Atnwelarre is a trailing herb or creeper, sometimes covering large areas, with yellow flowers, bright green leaves and long skinny yams (swollen roots). These yams are an important food source which can be eaten raw or cooked in hot sand and ashes. Dot work represents Kame (Pencil Yam Seeds).

Circular designs represent Atwakeye (Bush Orange). The small compact tree of the bush orange plant is about 3½ m high with dark green leathery leaves. The fruit hang down on long stalks, turning a yellow green tint when ripe. The concentric circles represent waterholes.