Smoking the Baby: Muluru
2001
Smoking the Baby: Muluru
2001
- WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons
Women at Five Mile show us plants using the Indigenous names like muluru, or warrumungu, called wintatu. They tell us that smoking is for mothers and small children. Jungarrayi jungarrayi is used to make the bedding over the fire for the small children. Lemon grass is collected because it smells nice. The footage of the collection of plants used in the smoking ceremony is intercut with footage of a small child being smoked. We are shown a bush called mungkarta in Warrumungu. The site for smoking is selected because it is where the muluru tree and the nuku grow. Summary by Romaine Moreton.
- WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons
Women at Five Mile show us plants using the Indigenous names like muluru, or warrumungu, called wintatu. They tell us that smoking is for mothers and small children. Jungarrayi jungarrayi is used to make the bedding over the fire for the small children. Lemon grass is collected because it smells nice. The footage of the collection of plants used in the smoking ceremony is intercut with footage of a small child being smoked. We are shown a bush called mungkarta in Warrumungu. The site for smoking is selected because it is where the muluru tree and the nuku grow. Summary by Romaine Moreton.
- Production companyCAAMA ProductionsExecutive ProducerPriscilla Collins (AKA Cilla Collins)DirectorDena CurtisAcknowledgementsPapula Apparr-kari Aboriginal Corporation
The different plants that are collected offer fascinating insight into the ritual of smoking for small children and their mothers. The ritual of smoking is one common to many Indigenous cultures in Australia, and in this clip, we are shown the detailed preparation for the ritual that helps children and mothers fend off illness.
Smoking the Baby synopsis
An observational documentary about the cultural ritual of smoking the baby to ensure their health and well-being.
Smoking the Baby is part of the Nganampa Anwernekenhe series produced by Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) Productions. Nganampa Anwernekenhe means 'ours’ in the Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte lanuages, and the series aims to contribute to the preservation of Indigenous languages and cultures.
Smoking the Baby curator's notes
Elders sitting at Five Mile, south-east of Seven Mile, tell us how the old people used to smoke the babies. The ritual of smoking the baby is one of purification.
Notes by Romaine Moreton
Need to license this item? A/V professionals and researchers can shortlist licensing enquiries via our NFSA Pro catalogue search and membership.
Collections to explore
Medicine
Arrernte language
Mental health
Start your own collection
A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, organise and share your favourite videos, audio and stories.
