Ngaranyin perspective on hands- Kimberley Indigenous Australians

In studying the many fascinating aspects of our Indigenous Australians, most would be aware of the amazing Wandjina paintings of the North Kimberleys- and the Ngarinyin people who comprise three groupings all linked through these paintings. The Wandjina paintings are haunting images that have only faces and halo like appearances.

The Wandjina , according to the Ngaranyin people, emanated from the rocks themselves so be seen and then painted by the shaman. One of these shaman was the wonderful David Mowaljarlei who shared with Hannah Rachel Bell, expressed in her book Men's Business, Women's Business these thoughts on hands.

'I write with my right hand, my left hand gives me balance, support and lift to dance a two handed life'.
He also when reflecting on the Law, Wurnan, the Law of Relationships, which is implicit in their world view went on to share more on hands...

That each has different functions and strengths, responding to different sides of the brain, and that just as it is very difficult to tie shoelaces with fingers on the same hand, so too this reflects the nature of relationships , with each being separate, there is a complementary and cooperative input, right hand and left hands working separately but together.

The Ngarinyin worldview is a profound belief that relationships, which are reciprocal are the primary unit of life. And in saying there are always two, David Mowaljarlei held up both index fingers, never two on one hand.

I found it fascinating studying the parallels between the early mystical stream of Kaballah and that on the Ngarinyin

Ref: Bell H. R.(1998), Men's Business: Woman's Business: the Spiritual role of gender in the world's oldest culture,  Inner Traditions, Rochester, Vermont,