The Tiwi Islands are situated in the Arafura Sea to the north of Darwin.

There are three art centres, Tiwi Design, Jilamara and Munupi.  Body painting for ceremony, as in other areas, has been practiced for thousands of years.  

The most important ceremony in Tiwi culture is the Pukumani (funeral) ceremony. 

Large Pukumani Poles traditionally carved out of bloodwood are highly decorated in bold shimmering designs.  Poles can be up to 4 metres high, many can be grouped together for ceremony.  Often a bird eg Pelican is carved on the top of the pole.  Tokampini an ancestral “bird-man” arranged the first ceremony.

Tungas (bark baskets) are also a very important part of ceremony, they are made from bark from the stringy-bark tree.   As well as being used to carry food they also hold a gift for the dancers, given at the end of ceremony.  The baskets are then turned upside down on top of a Pukamani pole to mark the end of the gathering for the deceased and to stop the spirit from wandering.