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Janbal (Quandong) and Dubal (Coolamon)

Janbal (Quandong) is good bush tucker. We gather the fruit from August to January when they are sweet and soft. The kernel of the fruit is very pretty and we often use it to make body adornments such as necklaces and earrings.

A coolamon is a type of shallow carrying vessel that is curved on both sides.Kuku Yalanji used yo make coolamons using rainforest hardwood or the soft bark of paperbark trees.They used the vessel to, for example, transport food such as berries and grains, and cradle their babies. 

Categories: Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Aboriginal Corporation

Name: Margaret Rocky

Language: Kuku Nyungkul, Kaantju

Community: Mossman

Biography:

I belong to the Kuku Nyungkal/Yalanji and Kaantju tribes. I was born at Laura Station in Southern Cape York Peninsula and went to school in Cooktown and then Lockhart River. I’m one of nine children (seven sisters and two brothers). My mum was Ruby Creek (nee Nunn) and she worked as a hairdresser. My dad worked as a stockman and as a diver for Trochus Shells. Later he worked with Goobidi Housing and Legal Aid, helping the people of Mossman Gorge.

 

My Mother’s language group is Kuku Nyungkul and my Father’s is Southern Kaanju. When we moved back to Mossman Gorge, I worked as a housekeeper and also doing odd jobs for different cane farmers. Over the years I’ve also been a foster mother to many children. I’ve attended TAFE and also participated in art classes at Douglas Art Base in Mossman. Here I began to develop my skills as an artist. Later, I became a member of Yalanji Arts, Mossman Gorge.

 

I enjoy making art, particularly drawing, painting and printing on fabric and paper. Recently, I started to work with clay which also gives me lot of pleasure. I engrave ceramic coolamons, tiles and small bowls with my designs. The elders of my family passed on to me important cultural knowledge as well as everyday life stories, both of which I incorporate into my artwork.

 

My inspiration comes from the rainforest and ocean environments. Many of my fabrics and ceramics also show woven baskets. I used to weave baskets when a was a bit younger but this has become too difficult for me now

Since I have the opportunity to sell my work through Yalanji Arts, I hope that this will encourage the younger generations to find their talent and follow me in my footsteps.

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