111982202144

Published by on



Burlupurr – large dillybag

Burlupurr, or dilly bag, is a large woven collecting basket. These large bags are often made from the vine ‘Malasia scandens’, a strong pliable plant which grows along the floor and into the canopy of monsoon vine thickets. The bags are used to collect any kind of large numbers of heavy foods such as fish caught in conical fish traps or large collections of yams.

They can also be made from Pandanus spiralis, a plant which grows in many areas of Arnhem Land. These dilly bags are a tightly woven collecting basket, very finely made. These dilly bags are often used to collect sugarbag, the native honey 

As well as being of practical use, dilly bags are also of religious significance to Arnhem Land people. Dilly bags are said to be totemic objects and associated with particular sites in the landscape.

Name: Bonnie Burarngarra


Language: Burarra, Yan-nhaŋu


Community: Maningrida


Biography:

Bonnie Burangarra belongs to the Burarra / Walamangu people and is a internationally celebrated fibre artist. Bonnie grew up, and continues to live, on her ancestral country at Yilan in the Cape Stewart area. She is a Traditional owner of Yilan as well as Yurrwi (Milingimbi Island).

Bonnie and her late husband Jacky Maranbarra are two of few remaining Master Anguchechiya (fish trap) makers. Examples of their work are held in many public and private collections. Bonnie also makes beautiful gulukurr (bathi or dilly bags) and Bamagral nanmarra (conical mat with functions including wrapping or covering babies, womens skirt or covering for young girls during coming of age ceremony).

Bonnie has the wisdom, strength and gentleness of a women that has spent her entire life living on her homeland with her ancestral culture engrained in her everyday life. Her artwork has been exhibited extensively and Bonnie is represented by both Maningrida Arts and Milingimbi Art and Culture. 


© the artist / art centre