Cedric Varcoe - Kondili the Whales

Cedric Varcoe

Kondili the Whales

acrylic on canvas

149 x 121 cm

The painting tells the story of our Ramindjeri dreaming story about Kondili a powerful ancestor who was the keeper of fire all the Ramindjeri Ngarrindjeri people gathered in the Hindmarsh valley to hold ceremonies for Kondili to try getting the magic of fire from him as they dance Kondili was speared and run out to the sea along Latang the Hindmarsh River and turn into the whale where he became the whale and return to victor harbour every year and brings his father to care for the young till they strong enough to swim on our Ramindjeri would hold ceremony when Kondili returned to celebrate the return of Kondili the Whales at the start of winter