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Ngangkin (Echidna)

Long time ago our ancestors used to hunt echidnas for their meat and fat.

The fat was used as bush medicine. They rubbed it onto sore muscles to relieve pain. 

The echidna also appears as part of a rock formation at Manjal Dimbi (Mount Demi). Manjal Dimbi means “mountain holding back“. The rock formation represents a number of significant Ancestral Beings in their animal form and Kubirri, a man who came to help Kuku Yalanji when they were persecuted by the evil spirit, Wurrumbu.

Categories: Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Aboriginal Corporation

Name: Laurence Gibson

Language: Kuku Yalanji

Community: Mossman

Biography:

My father is a Kuku Nyungkul man from Schiffon Flat and my mother is a Kuku Yalanji from Mossman Gorge. My mum used to paint at home and she inspired me to become an artist myself. I prefer doing pencil drawings - I’ve been sketching all my life. I like large figure outlines.

 

It was my partner, Vanessa Cannon, who first encouraged me to come with her to Yalanji Arts. I like working with and learning from her. Now, my practice has expanded and I do my line drawings on ceramics (sgrafitto) and create drawings for printing on textiles and paper.

 

My totem is the Cassowary. It was bestowed on me by my Grandfather. He taught me how to dance the Cassowary dance which l sometimes perform for public events. Not only have I performed this sacred dance in Mossman, but across the world in Hong Kong in the 1990s.

 

I’m happy when I can make art. It relaxes me. My main subjects are the cassowary, echidna, dugong, barramundi, scrub fowl, and brush turkey. My main aim is to pass my knowledge onto the younger generations.

 

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© the artist / art centre