When someone is killed by another and it is not possible to be sure if it was accidental or intentional, one of the elders takes on a special role to determine whether or not the family of the deceased will be given an opportunity for "pay-back".
This elder becomes the Djitty Djitty and meets with all members of the families involved to try and work out what happened. If he is still uncertain a special ceremony is arranged by which the family of the deceased is able to throw some spears as if in pay-back at the person involved in the death of their family member. However, the Djitty Djitty and the person who may have caused the death intentionally, enter into an elaborate dance with the Djitty Djitty leading the other with the words "When I go this way, you go this way; when I go that way you go that way." The Djitty Djitty goes-between the family with the spears and the one who may deserve pay-back. He is generally very skillful at ducking the spears and so long as the person copies his movements exactly they will be safe.
This ancient Nyoongar practice is such a wonderful echoe of what many believe about the work of Jesus that it has inspired me in the special place the Djitty Djitty has in my life.
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