Mysterious custom of Australian indigenous tribes: scratch yourself with rocks to "awaken ancestors"

According to the British "Daily Mail" report, Melbourne, Australia photographer Brook Mitchell recently arrived in the desert of western Queensland to visit the local indigenous tribe Marrinyama and photographed their unique annual pilgrimage. These people used sharp rocks to scratch themselves in an attempt to "awaken their ancestors."

Near the desert of western Queensland, there is the "holy land" of the Marrinyama tribe. The people of this tribe spend three months of summer every year in jungle camps near the desert, where the average temperature can reach more than 40 degrees Celsius.

The Marrinyama people are also known as the "kangaroo society", using sharp stones to cut kangaroo stripes on their arms. Mitchell said he was invited to follow tribal members led by Elder Lance Sullivan and perform kangaroo and emu dances to awaken their ancestors. He also said that the Marrinyama people like to wear a tall feathered hat on their heads, which is called dhoeri. In addition, they mixed blood with red soil and painted in the cave, calling it the "Kangaroo Dream".

The desert rituals of the Marrinyama tribe have ancient traditions and self-renewing parts. All are willing to seek strength from the past and set a positive example for troubled tribes. As Sullivan said: Without the past, we have no future; without cultural traditions, we have nothing."

Mitchell saw the entire process of these indigenous people struggling to maintain their cultural traditions, even though it was accompanied by severe pain. He was very surprised and said: "It was an unforgettable experience."

The picture shows a man from the tribe preparing to embark on a "pilgrimage" journey

They used sharp stones to cut kangaroo stripes on their arms

Tribes perform dances similar to kangaroo and emu to awaken their ancestors.

They also mixed blood with red soil and painted in the cave, calling it the "Kangaroo Dream."

The Marrinyama people like to wear a tall feathered hat on their heads, which is called dhoeri.

Near the desert of western Queensland, there is the "holy land" of the Marrinyama tribe.