Burning of the Bark

Burning of the Bark

Burning Of The BArk

Rituals and ceremonial dance are key elements of traditional Aboriginal culture. The professional performing arts group Minjil offers traditional Burning of the Bark rituals in Cairns, Far North Queensland.

Smoking ceremonies (wunyju bayal in Aboriginal language) are used for blessing of new premises, places of significance and cultural activation of new spaces. Very common among all Aboriginal tribes – smoke and fire is used around the world to bond people together, i.e. sit around the fire and bond with your friends.

This process of creating the smoke and the fire is designed to form a connection between peoples, whether it be between companies, businesses or individuals, it is a spiritual connection. Native Australian plants are smouldered, with the smoke used to cleanse and purify areas, chase away negative energies and evil spirits.

Used in naming ceremonies among Aboriginal tribes when babies are born, elders will put their hands over the fire before putting them on the feet, hands and eyes of a baby.

Fire Ritual — Indigenous Dance & Ceremonies in Cairns, QLD
Fire Ritual — Indigenous Dance & Ceremonies in Cairns, QLD

Burning of the Bark

Rituals and ceremonial dance are key elements of traditional Aboriginal culture. The professional performing arts group Minjil offers traditional Burning of the Bark rituals in Cairns, Far North Queensland.

Smoking ceremonies (wunyju bayal in Aboriginal language) are used for blessing of new premises, places of significance and cultural activation of new spaces. Very common among all Aboriginal tribes – smoke and fire is used around the world to bond people together, i.e. sit around the fire and bond with your friends.

This process of creating the smoke and the fire is designed to form a connection between peoples, whether it be between companies, businesses or individuals, it is a spiritual connection. Native Australian plants are smouldered, with the smoke used to cleanse and purify areas, chase away negative energies and evil spirits.

Used in naming ceremonies among Aboriginal tribes when babies are born, elders will put their hands over the fire before putting them on the feet, hands and eyes of a baby.

Blessings will then be spoken in Aboriginal language, about listening to nature and spirit. The word Minjil is an Aboriginal term meaning "spark of the fire". The traditional dancers and artists of Minjil perform the Burning of the Bark ritual today for:

  • Honouring a place of great significance
  • Cultural activation of new premises
  • Baby naming ceremonies
  • Encouraging connection between communities

Carl Fourmile, Artistic Director at Minjil believes that the Burning of the Bark ritual can be very effective for people-to-people, business-to-people and business-to-business purposes. This calming and respectful ceremony helps create a spiritual connection between all guests who are present.

Blessings will then be spoken in Aboriginal language, about listening to nature and spirit. The word Minjil is an Aboriginal term meaning "spark of the fire". The traditional dancers and artists of Minjil perform the Burning of the Bark ritual today for:

  • Honouring a place of great significance
  • Cultural activation of new premises
  • Baby naming ceremonies
  • Encouraging connection between communities

Carl Fourmile, Artistic Director at Minjil believes that the Burning of the Bark ritual can be very effective for people-to-people, business-to-people and business-to-business purposes. This calming and respectful ceremony helps create a spiritual connection between all guests who are present.

Share by: