May 2023

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Coil Basket

Coil basketry is a well-established fibre art form in the Maningrida region, especially for women from the Kuninjku, Rembarrnga, Ndjebbana and Nakkara language groups. 

Artists make coiled baskets of many shapes and sizes, ranging from small round baskets to large oval baby baskets, and made mostly from pandanus fibre that is dyed with natural pigments. Bundles of fibre are formed into coils which are covered and stitched together with strands of fibre threaded onto a needle. Artists combine colours and patterns to obtain intricate new graphic patterns.

These techniques are believed to have been introduced to Arnhem Land by Greta Matthews, a missionary on Goulburn Island in the 1920s. She had probably learnt coil basketry from Aboriginal people in the south-east of Australia, possibly the Murray River people such as the Yorta Yorta or the coastal Ngarrindjeri. 

The coiling technique spread quickly from Goulburn Island to people on mainland Arnhem Land. 

 

 

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Mat

Mats can vary greatly. Artists commonly use a mix of naturally dyed and undyed fibre to create a striking variation of coloured bands. Some artists also incorporate different types of looping to produce different patterns and textured finishes. Each type of mat, fibre bag, basket and dilly bag has its own name in the various languages spoken in the Maningrida region.

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Clapsticks

Clapsticks are carved from ironwood and are made to accompany the didjeridu, used for ceremony and dancing. The distinctive sound of the clapsticks can be heard played ceaselessly into the night to honour the funeral rites of Aboriginal people in Arnhem Land. Arnhem Land and the Top End of the Northern Territory is the traditional home of the didjeridu, the only wind instrument of the Aborigines.

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Clapsticks

Clapsticks are carved from ironwood and are made to accompany the didjeridu, used for ceremony and dancing. The distinctive sound of the clapsticks can be heard played ceaselessly into the night to honour the funeral rites of Aboriginal people in Arnhem Land. Arnhem Land and the Top End of the Northern Territory is the traditional home of the didjeridu, the only wind instrument of the Aborigines.

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Clapsticks

Clapsticks are carved from ironwood and are made to accompany the didjeridu, used for ceremony and dancing. The distinctive sound of the clapsticks can be heard played ceaselessly into the night to honour the funeral rites of Aboriginal people in Arnhem Land. Arnhem Land and the Top End of the Northern Territory is the traditional home of the didjeridu, the only wind instrument of the Aborigines.

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Bondok (Spear Thrower)

The Bondok (Spear Thrower) is used to help propel a spear. These items are used for hunting and highly decorative pieces are used in ceremony. Also known as woomera; a flat type of spear thrower. The bondok is held in one hand, with the spear placed in the hook at the top of the bondok.

Like spears and boomerangs, bondok’s are more commonly used by men. s In the West Arnhem region are exclusive to ‘mens business’, meaning women are forbidden to use. If touched or held by women, women will be cursed to have bad luck or in some cases infertility.

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Galawon (Goanna)

This painting depicts two goannas embedded in an intricate depiction of gungara, the mini cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land. Gungara also relates specifically to the Bilwoyinj site. At this site, two of the most important Kuninjku creation beings, a father and son, hunted and ate goanna. They left some goanna fat behind, which turned into the rock that still stands at the site today.

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Galawon (Goanna)

This painting depicts two goannas embedded in an intricate depiction of gungara, the mini cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land. Gungara also relates specifically to the Bilwoyinj site. At this site, two of the most important Kuninjku creation beings, a father and son, hunted and ate goanna. They left some goanna fat behind, which turned into the rock that still stands at the site today.

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Galawon (Goanna)

This painting depicts two goannas embedded in an intricate depiction of gungara, the mini cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land. Gungara also relates specifically to the Bilwoyinj site. At this site, two of the most important Kuninjku creation beings, a father and son, hunted and ate goanna. They left some goanna fat behind, which turned into the rock that still stands at the site today.

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Galawon (Goanna)

This painting depicts two goannas embedded in an intricate depiction of gungara, the mini cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land. Gungara also relates specifically to the Bilwoyinj site. At this site, two of the most important Kuninjku creation beings, a father and son, hunted and ate goanna. They left some goanna fat behind, which turned into the rock that still stands at the site today.