The name Argula describes a number of ghost-like spirits. Some of them are Jilinya who are seductive Jindiwan (men) and Ngindiwan (women) who steal women, men and babies. There are...
The name Argula describes a number of ghost-like spirits. Some of them are Jilinya who are seductive Jindiwan (men) and Ngindiwan (women) who steal women, men and babies. There are also some big 'hairy men' who live underground, Rye who are little 'cheeky men' who can help or punish you and devils. Other examples of Argula include the spirit of deceased people who are making a journey back to their homeland, usually an Ungud waterhole where the person's birth spirit was formed. A deceased person immediately becomes Argula and begins his journey. In the Kimberley there is a set journey that all Argula spirits make. This journey takes the spirit inland towards Halls Creek, roughly following the course of the Fitzroy River. The spirit then travels through Gidja country before finally traveling to his spiritual birth place in the Wandjina homelands of the Ngarinyin, Worrorra and Wunambul people. The Argula spirits have a devil-like appearance but are usually harmless if left alone. The Wandjina spirits are highly respected by the Worrora, Ngarinyin and Wunumbul people who live at Mowanjum and along the Gibb River Road to Kalumburru in the North West Kimberley region of Western Australia. Wandjina represents the laws of everything the surrounds us trees, rivers, rocks, bush fruit and animals, all creation. The Wandjinas give the law on how we have to treat and use these creations. These customs are carried on today.