THE CARLTON Football Club is proud to launch its 2023 AFLW Indigenous guernsey which will be worn in Rounds 7 and 8 of the AFLW season. 

The guernsey reflects traditional Tiwi culture representing the Kulama Ceremony, Pamajini (arm bands) and spear and has been designed by proud Tiwi woman Russellina ‘Russy’ Puruntatameri. 

Puruntatameri developed her artistic skills from her family back home, where she grew up at Pirlangimpi Garden point, at the Munupi Arts Centre, by watching and listening to their stories.  

The Kulama Ceremony is an annual celebration of life and an important ritual for young men. It consists of three days and three nights of ritual body paintings, singing and dancing which happens towards the end of the wet season when a ring appears around the moon. 

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Puruntatameri introduces 2023 AFL Indigenous guernsey

Tiwi artist Russellina Puruntatameri takes us through the details behind our 2023 AFL Indigenous guernsey.

The circular shapes on the guernsey represent the ceremonial dancing ground, an important ceremony in the Tiwi community that symbolises good health, hunting and initiation.   

Puruntatameri wanted to showcase the strength and resilience of the Tiwi women through illustrating a Numwariyaka (spear) and Pamajini (arm bands) which sit proudly across the front. The arm bands are woven from pandanus and are an important part of Tiwi ceremony.  

Both the AFL and AFLW sides will have the pleasure of pulling on Russy's guernsey for their respective Indigenous rounds for the first time in the Club's history. 

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Foam Printing with Tyrone Winder and Darcy Vescio

Join Tyrone Winder and Darcy Vescio as they discuss the significance of Indigenous Round, culture and community, all while learning the art of foam printing.