Fish traps are placed into the river to face the oncoming fish. The woven tunnel traps the fish and prevents their escape. The traps are tapered so when they are submerged in the water, the water pressure wedges them into place. Traditionally, the fish traps are operated at night time.
Name: Mary Dhapalany (1)
Language: Mandhalpuy
Community: Ramingining
Biography:
Dhapalany is a very skilled weaver. She has been making fibre objects for utilitarian and ritual use since her early teenage years. Her work includes mindirr (dilly bags), nganiyal (woven mats), djerrk (bush string bags) and batjbarra (traditional fish traps).
Mary Dhapalany is the twin sister of the late David Gulpilil. Other siblings include Peter Minygululu, Djelirr (1), Belinda Gunydjulma and Evonne Munuyngu.
Good bush food story This is a story of the artists dreaming and his family. A freshwater story of looking for food, you can see the long-neck turtles and file snakes in the water. It Read more…
Evonne’s Buliya (catfish) dhawu (story) In this painting, Evonne has painted her Mari (mothers, mother) dreaming of Buliya (catfish). This is a freshwater story from Ganalbingu country in the Arafura Wetlands. Evonne’s Mari taught Evonne’s Read more…
Baru Dhawu (Crocodile Story) Baru (the crocodile man), was from the Gumatj clan. People usually call him Gurdu Gurdu or Baru which means crocodile. He lived his life at a place called Yirrkala. Living near Read more…