Mimi (folklore)

Mimis (or 'Mimih Spirits' [1]) are fairy-like beings of Arnhem Land in the folklore of the Indigenous Australians of northern Australia. They are described as having extremely thin and elongated bodies, so thin as to be in danger of breaking in case of a high wind.[2] To avoid this, they usually spend most of their time living in rock crevices. They are said to have taught the Aborigines of Australia how to hunt and prepare kangaroo meat.

Aboriginal rock painting of Mimi spirits in the Anbangbang gallery at Nourlangie Rock

The Australian Museum (Sydney, N.S.W.) in its web article "Indigenous Australia Spirituality" describes them thus:

"The Mimi are tall, thin beings that live in the rocky escarpment of northern Australia as spirits. Before the coming of Aboriginal people they had human forms."

"When Aboriginal people first came to northern Australia, the Mimi taught them how to hunt and cook kangaroos and other animals. They also did the first rock paintings and taught Aboriginal people how to paint."[3]