A Walbiri Fire Ceremony: Ngatjakula

Ngatjakula is one of the most spectacular ceremonies of central Australia, employing fire to inflict real and symbolic punishment on those responsible for a social transgression. It serves to resolve conflict and, in the process, makes manifest underlying structures of Warlpiri (Walbiri) society.

Originally shot in 1967, the footage in this film is re-examined ten years later by anthropologist Nicolas Peterson.