Janganpa
The following images are of a ceremony associated with this ground painting performed at Alice Springs at the Aura Congress on Friday 14 July 2000. You will notice a pale area on the ground in the following slideshow. This was where the ground painting had been the previous day. Because of time constrictions, the ground painting and the associated dance ceremonies were held on consecutive days. This was not the correct timing for the ceremony and meant that the ground painting had to be removed before the dance. The dance would normally have been performed as soon as the ground painting was completed and the dance would have removed the ground painting.
The inclusion of a lad, not of the Janganpa, was due to him being present during the whole of the preparation stage and assisting where permitted. The elders felt that it was necessary that he be included in the conclusion of the ceremony.
Only men were permitted to view the construction of the ground painting and the decoration of men. Only women were permitted to view the decoration of women. The completed ground painting, the men's dance ceremony and the entry of the women could be viewed by all.
All stages of preparation and implementation of this ceremony were essential to assure the continued well being of the group. The ceremony was performed when appropriate and would leave no trace in the archaeological record.
