Traditional Tiwi Culture placed special significance on the pukamani (funeral) ceremony. Mourners are decorated suing natural ochres to disguise themselves from the spirit of the deceased and song and dance is performed to honour the dead. Yirrinkiripwoja (bodypaint) is the source of many contemporary Tiwi designs and performanceof the pukumani as ritual helps reinvigorate the imagery. The shortening of the word Pwoja - also refers to 'best'.