The painting depicts the root system (wavy lines) and the seasonal transitions of the Pencil Yam plant. Aboriginal women from the Utopia region in Central Australia use their digging sticks to locate the white root of the yam plant, which is edible and a principal food source.

The Utopian women honour the spirit of the yam plant during awelye - womens ceremonies. Honouring the spirit is through body painting, song and dance cycles.

If you would like to know more about the Pencil Yam Dreaming and the relationship with Aboriginal Art and culture, please read the following articles or to view video footage of women dancing during awelye ceremonies.

• Aboriginal Food
• Aboriginal Women
• Awelye (Womens Ceremony) Art
• Video footage: Aboriginal dancing during ceremony