February 2023 – Page 26

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Kunmadj

Kunmadj is the Kuninjku term for large woven collecting baskets, known as dillybags.

They are often made from the burney vine (Malaisia scandens), a strong, pliable plant that grows along the ground and into the canopy of monsoon vine thickets. The baskets are used to collect a variety of heavy foods, such as fish caught in conical fish traps or a good harvest of yams. As well as being of practical use, dillybags are of cultural significance to Arnhem Land people. Dillybags are totemic objects and they are associated with particular sites in the landscape.

By , 4 years ago

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Ocean Dreaming

In the beginning, the Great Spirit of the Sea created the vast and endless ocean, a place of beauty and mystery. She painted the waters with her brush of foam and painted the sky with her brush of clouds. The waves became her canvas, and she used them to tell the stories of the Dreamtime.

The Dreamtime stories tell of the creation of the world and the adventures of the spirit beings. They are stories of magic and wonder, of love and loss, of joy and sorrow. And in my emotive abstract ocean painting, I have tried to capture the essence of these stories.

The swirling forms and vibrant colors are the spirits of the sea, dancing and singing on the waves. The brushstrokes are the trails they leave behind as they journey through the Dreamtime. And the emotions that the painting evokes are the feelings that the Great Spirit of the Sea wants to share with us, to remind us of the magic and mystery of the ocean, and of the Dreamtime stories that are told upon its waves.

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Banda (Long Necked Turtle)

The long necked turtle is a dreaming totem for the freshwater people, the Ganalbingu, whose country includes the World Heritage listed, Arafura Wetlands in Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory

The Yolngu (people) of Arnhem Land 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 Wangga (Creator Beings), long ago close to the beginning of time. These creator beings moved across the country side, shaping the land and implanting in each tract of country, the spiritual life force for the people who were to own it.

These creator spirits took many forms. 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. Some of their major Creative Beings include Banda (freshwater long neck turtle) and Yalman (water lilies).

By , 4 years ago

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Mabbúlarr – Murnun

Mabbúlarr is the Ndjébbana word describing calm and stillness – both regarding people and the ocean.

Murnun means dugong.

This design is the second part of Josephines Mabbúlarr story

This design tells the story of underwater life in the shallows. The turtle we call marláddja (green turtle, Chelonia mydas) and the stingray we call marnandjúbba (Cowtail Stingray, Pastinachus sephen).

‘When strong wind blows the sea is rough, when there’s no wind the sea is calm. We call that mábbularr. You can see through the water and look at the turtle and stingray eating karlómerr (sea grass) and dancing underwater to find their mate. When we go on the boat hunting, we go at times of mábbularr.

In the old days men used to hunt with a canoe and with traditional made harpoon. Guided by our ancestors’ spirits they would paddle all day to find sea turtle and dugongs in the right places. The men had to be smart for the tide and know the weather to balance their canoes. They would go at times of mábbularr (calm), early morning in daytime or at night-time when there is no moon and the water glows. We call the night-time glimmer of phosphorescence mílarrng-milarrng. Today people still go hunting, it brings a lot of families together and they share eating down the beach.

We have songline for sea turtle, also men paint turtle on their back and dance turtle in the Míddjarn the same way turtle dance underwater. It is very important we look after our country and songline passed on from many generations’. Josephine James 2021

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Djunggaliwarr ga wayanaka (conch shell and oysters)

This painting is of a conch shell and the “U” shapes are oysters. The rrark (cross hatching) is representing water.

As part of Evonne’s family tradition To make these intricate table mats, artists collect the young leaves from the Pandanus Spiralis palm tree. They then strip the leaves of thorns and into thin strips before they are boiled with tree roots or leaves that are used to make natural dye. is lit over the conch shell and the smoke from this fire is used in a smoking ceremony. This ceremony has cleansing properties.

By , 4 years ago

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Ngaldadmurrng (Saratoga)

This design tells the story of Saratoga dreaming, a freshwater fish that swims on the edge of creeks and rivers. This design is the Saratoga dreaming from the Mularra songline. Where the Saratoga we call Murdulngu, Danguny travelled from Malmyangarnak billabong to Mirrigatja.

This Billabong was owned by Murdulngu (Saratoga) before the water was taken over by shark Barlangu he came all the way from east to north then to west. He was travelling when that water level was high he went up the stream but he couldn’t make it. This Barlangu came from Murruggun clan but really this shark came from long way all the way south. This story is connected through Mularra songline it represents many clans.

With permission from clan elders, Carol is able to pass on this family knowledge through her passion in textile and art.

‘I am proud of my first design, I want to keep this design for future, for my children and grandchildren so they remember this story, this story is a big part of the mularra songline’ Carol Liyawanga Campion

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By , 4 years ago

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Yawkyawk dja Ngalyod

In 2023 Janet Marawarr and Deborah Wurrkidj journeyed to India as guests of honour to the Australian Consulate – Kolkata. They participated in a workshop with women owned studio Tharangini studio, Bangalore

The following is an extract from the press release:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/bangalore/a-cultural-exchange-programme-with-aboriginal-artists-from-maningrid-in-bengaluru/articleshow/97055614.cm

As part of the visit to India, the group visited Tharangini Studio, Bangalore’s oldest heritage textile studio. Established in 1977, Tharangini is woman-owned and specializes in organic, sustainable woodblock printed textiles. Tharangini’s skilled artisans will hand carve Babbarra artist designs into woodblocks. Babbarra’s artisans will learn and co-create textiles using organic dyes and their vast library of vintage Indian woodblocks.

This initiative was funded by Kinaway Chamber of Commerce, Victoria. Bábbarra Designs hopes to develop a creative partnership that includes including some co-created woodblock fabrics in the upcoming Chennai and Bengaluru part of the Jarracharra -India tour.

By , 4 years ago