"Maraian Ceremony, Sacred and Secret." 20th century Mialli tribal painting by "NYM" on eucalyptus bark depicting a yam totem. Piece measures approximately 17" x 30" x 1" and is in fine condition except for some surface mold spotting on the rear of the piece. Provenance: from The Holmes Collection (signed by a Sandra Holmes) according to a label affixed en verso. The entirety of the label is transcribed below: "MARAIAN CEREMONY, SACRED & SECRET. ARTIST. NYM. (DECEASED AT 69- 1968.) TRIBE. MIALLI. MOIETY. DUA. COUNTRY. xxxxxx Nebarluk, Nimbuah area. From Copelli Going East Rock counry. SUBJECT. Sacred yam totem or rannga. Showing the yam in full leaf and nearly ready to harvest. (dig) This is the cheeky yam (poison if not treated.) It is treated by chopping it up and palcing [SIC] it in a net back in a stream of flowing water for some hours to winnow the poison out of it. The painting above shows the yam itself amd the totemic wood, string and feather yam, made for the increase ceremony. AN IMPORTANT RITUAL ++INCREASE PAINTING. -From the Holmes collection." From the carefully curated collection of a Pan Am flight attendant, in service between the years of 1954 and 1984. Her many travels took her through Central America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the South Pacific. Keywords: Australian, Aboriginal, art, artwork