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Raypiny Dhawu (Fresh Water Story)

All Aboriginal people originate from a spiritual source, fixed in a particular place in their land or the sea. These ‘spiritual reservoirs’ are often in the form of special waterholes made by Wangarr (creative spirits) that were created long ago close to the beginning of time. These creator beings moved across the countryside, shaping the land and implanting in each tract of country, the spiritual life force for the people who were to own it. These creative spirits took many forms and when they gave the land to each group, they also gave songs, dances, ceremony, the associated laws and language.

 

The creation story for Ganalbingu people took place near the middle section of the Glyde River where it becomes the Goyder River. Their land, Ngaliyindi, sits astride the Arafura Swamp in Central Arnhem Land. Many Ganalbingu artists paint totemic species significant to their clan. These can include baru (crocodile), banda (long necked turtle), buliya (catfish), yalman (waterlilies), gumang (magpie geese), dakawa (fresh water yabby), ratjuk (barramundi), warrnyu (flying fox) and more.

 

Categories: Bula'bula Arts

Name: Charlie Djurritjini

Language: Ganalbingu

Biography:

Charlie's country is an area called the crossing. This is near Mowangi and is a large area of swampland stretching all the way up to the mountains. He is an extraordinary fisherman and most happy when he is out of the township in the bush. When he was younger he used be the town's mechanic for Ramingining.

"My father told me everything before he died. These paintings are for Balanda and Yolngu. These paintings are to show balanda (white people) what my culture is. To show where my country and Dreaming is from, and where my culture comes from. I only paint from (about) one place, Mutyka' - that's my country. These pictures come from my head - I think about my culture."

           Taken from an interview in
           "The Native Born: Objects and Representations from Ramingining, Arnhem Land"  

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