Petroglyphs

The underlying theme of most traditional art was sacred and ritual. The artists drew their pictures in the sand; they painted them on bark, on trees, on their implements and on rock surfaces. They created collages, adding feathers, fur and other fine decorations. And they painted their bodies in colourful patterns.

During the traditional period the creation of works of art was the privilege of the men only. The women's artistry was expressed in the making of various artefacts and body decorations.

Symbolic art

There is a great amount of original symbolic art still in existence, but unfortunately most of it is not easily interpreted. It is known, however, that each line, shape or change of direction did have special significance to the artist and to those for whom it was ongmally painted.

Symbolic patterns featured diagonal, parallel or concentric lines. Most of the body painting that took place before the special ceremonies was also symbolic.