Enraeld Djulabinyana Munkara was one of the most distinguished sculptors among the Tiwi, a people renowned for their carving. Residing at Milikapiti (Snake Bay), Djulabinyana belonged to a group of artists on Melville Island in the 1950s and 1960s whose work was less subjected to Missionary influence. This figure of the Tiwi ancestor Purukapali bears all the hallmarks of his style. Charaterised by arms extending directly from the bulbous head, and legs running straight down from well defined hips, there is a distinct negative space between the legs. This void references those typical of Pukamani grave posts. Unlike other carvings by the artist, this figure has no sculptured base indicating it may have had a ceremonial function.