According to the Kunwinjku people of West Arnhem Land, Mimih spirits were the original spirit beings who taught Aboriginal people many of the skills they needed to survive. They also taught aspects of ceremony such as singing, dancing (kunborrk) and playing didjeridu (mako).

Mimih spirits are believed to inhabit the rocky escarpments around Gunbalanya but because they are extremely timid they are rarely seen by humans. They are frequently depicted in the rock art of Arnhem Land as small, dynamic figures, often shown with a range of hunting tools.