Rokini Story

Along the beaches of Melville Island purple flowers bloom bright and beautiful; distinguished by its flowers the eye-catching Rokini vine is revered not only for its beauty but also for its medicinal and healing properties. 

Country: Imalu Point

Dance: Jarrikalani (Turtle)

Cornelia Tipuamantumirri was born adjacent to the present day barge landing at Pirlangimipi, around 1930. When she was a young woman she would assist young weavers to acquire skill and knowledge in this art form.  She would also teach the young ones traditional Tiwi dance. Cornelia Tipuamantumirri married Steven Tipuamantamirri as a young lady and has one child, a daughter, Dolores Tipuamantamirri. Cornelia Tipuamantumirri also helped raise a young boy from Peppimenarti, Harry Wilson, who was part of the Stolen Generation sent to Pirlangimpi and later married the well known Peppimenarti artist Regina Wilson. Cornelia Tipuamantumirri uses the kayimwagakimi for her work, dipping the comb-shaped carved ironwood into her ochre palette; shades of pinks and yellows to portray the reflections of her long life lived on the Tiwi Islands. Reflections also, of the skyes’ lights on the surface of the Arafura Sea.