Mimih Spirits

Aboriginal people in the rocky environments of western and south-western Arnhem Land tell of the existence of tall, slender spirits which they call Mimih.

The people of western Arnhem Land believe that Mimih spirits live in a social organisation similar to the Aboriginal people, and that Mimih society existed before humans. Mimih are credited with instructing the first people with knowledge relating to survival in the rocky environment of the Arnhem Land plateau. Mimih are said to have taught the first humans how to hunt and butcher game and also how to dance, sing and paint. The song and dance style of western Arnhem Land Aboriginal people is still known today as Mimih style.

Despite the usual descriptions of Mimih as being benign towards humans, they are also sometimes attributed with mischievous and dangerous qualities, and are capable of kidnapping or even killing humans. "Clever" men, or Aboriginal men with supernatural powers, sometimes befriend the Mimih, and are taught their songs and dances and shown their secret places. The Mimih are like people, using the same kinship terms and speaking the same language as the local Aboriginal group.