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Kunjuri, shield – Anne Nunn

I am painting kunjuri (shield). Our ancestors used kunjuri and wakay (sword) for fighting to protect themselves from getting hurt.

I started watching my grandfather paint when I was 12 years old. He taught me a lot about my culture, and this is why I am interested in kunjuri. My kunjuri are abstracted.  When the Missionaries came here to Wujal Wujal; they tried to stop my people from speaking language and practicing our traditions and because of this we lost some of the knowledge.  However, the old people were very strong and even though it was very hard they carried our culture despite the Missionaries and kept it strong.

Name: Anne Nunn


Language: Kuku Nyungkul


Community: Wujal Wujal


Biography:

My name is Anne Nunn and I am a Nyungul women. I was born in Mossman, QLD and grew up in Wujal Wujal.

My grandfather’s people are from the Helenvale area. Our totem is the Kadanji, red tail black cockatoo and the Yawu, stingray.

I have been making art for a few years now and have just started working with ochres. 

I remember the old stories and put them in my artwork.

 


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