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An-gujechiya (Fish Trap)

To make fish traps and fish net fences artists firstly get vine (mirlarl) from the jungle and they put it in water for one night to make it soft. Next they start weaving it; they make rings for the inside to keep the fish trap’s shape. Artists work for three or four weeks on the fish trap. They also make string from kurrajong (burdaga) to attach the hibiscus (bardainy) rings and to tie the conical end of the fish trap. This fish trap is used in saltwater and freshwater. People also use fish net fences called mun-dirra. A long time ago they would put the mun-dirra across rivers and creeks. In the middle they would place the an-gujechiya. They also used small things like sticks, rocks, mud and grass to block the fish from going through. People would then catch fish like saltwater barramundi rajarra, freshwater barramundi (janambal), small black freshwater catfish (buliya), bonefish (an-guwirrpiya), and sand bass (dalakan) in these fish traps.

Name: Indra Prudence


Language: Burarra (Martay)


Community: Maningrida


Biography:

Indra Prudence is from Ji-marda, a coastal homeland, approximately 2-3 hours east of Maningrida.  During the wet season she and her family have to travel by boat to reach Maningrida to get supplies.

Indra is a teacher at Ji-marda School and is also a renown weaver, specialising in making fish traps and fish fences. 

 


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