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Mindirr (Pandanus Bag)

Miṉḏirr (dilly bags) are made from gunga (Pandanus spiralis), baḻgurr (kurrajong) and natural bush dyes. The body of the miṉḏirr is made from gunga, and the handles from baḻgurr. Once the gunga fronds and baḻgurr bark have been collected, they are stripped and prepared then boiled with the dyes.

Miṉḏirr were used traditionally for every day utilitarian purposes, particularly collecting bush foods such as bäḻtji (yam). Traditionally, the baḻgurr handles were worn across the forehead while the body of the miṉḏirr sat at the back, between the shoulder blades making it easily accessible when collecting ŋatha (food).

Categories: Bula'bula Arts

Name: Mary Dhapalany (1)


Language: Mandhalpuy


Community: Ramingining


Biography:

Mary is a proud Mandhalpuy woman has been a practicing artist for four decades, and her weaving artwork is representative of traditional craft passed down through generations of women weavers in her family. The 70-year-old artist uses natural dyes, extracted from earth pigment or plant roots, to colour the pandanus leaf (gunga) used in her work. Mary’s artwork is held in numerous collections including National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Artbank, Sydney and the Chicago School of Business. Mary Dhapalany is the twin sister of the late David Gulpilil.  Other siblings include Peter Minygululu, Djelirr (1), Belinda Gunydjulma and Evonne Munuyngu.

 


© the artist / art centre