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Kunkaninj (Digging Stick)

Kunkaninj (digging stick) is used to dig for yams and for finding long-neck turtles, but is also an important Duwa moiety totemic ancestor. It shares the same songline as barlangu (shark) and wankurr (sacred Mardayin ceremonial dilly bag). Kunkarninj are the digging sticks that created the fresh water billabong known as Kœnœdjangka. Associated with this site are a small beetle called Nyork nyrok and fresh water weed Narrang Narrang with a small leaf and larger leaf variety.

Name: Sandra Richards


Language: Rembarrnga


Community: Maningrida


Biography:

Sandra Richards is the second eldest daughter of the acclaimed artist, songman, and cultural leader Jack Nawilil. She resides at her outstation, Bolkdjam, year-round, raising the next generation to be culturally strong.

Sandra has learnt art making under the tutelage of her father, mastering the art of bark painting and depicting Balngarra clan totems Mannarlinj (Bush potato), Kunkarninj (Digging stick) and Kunkarlewobe (Freshwater fish trap)

 


© the artist / art centre