‘Old people when they take that bone from the grave, the use Kunmadj (Dilly Bag) to take it [bones] to the Kunronj (water). Then they put bone in the Lorrkon (Hollow Log) and put it in the water. Then maybe 2 or 3 days later, they take it out of the water and put [bones] back in the dilly bag to hang up at ceremony. After ceremony, old people they dance around and they take it back, put it same place [grave].’ – Raylene Bonson 2022
Name: Raylene Ngalamyorrk Bonson
Language: Ndjébbana, Kuninjku
Community: Maningrida
Biography:
Raylene Bonson is a talented textile artist, specialising in linocut technique. She has been working with Bábbarra Designs since 2012 and now has a permanent role as an arts worker. Raylene was mentored by her late mother, Nancy Gununwanga, a senior textile artist at Bábbarra Designs and a founding member of Bábbarra Women’s Centre.
Raylene is well known for her designs depicting ancestral stories and ceremonial objects, in particular lorrkkon (hollow log for burial ceremony), kunmadj (dillybag) and mandjabu (conical fishtrap).
Kunkurra (Spiral Wind) ‘My designs, they are all alive living up in my head’- Janet Marawarr Janet Marawarr has depicted kunkurra, the spiralling wind associated with several sites in the Kardbam clan. On one level, Read more…
Kayawa (baby floor mat) and Lorrkon This design features the Lorrkkon tile by renowned artists and arts worker Raylene Bonson. In a hopscotch pattern, Joy has printed her own Kayawa (baby floor mat) in between.
Yawkyawk and Wak ‘Yawkyawk swim underneath the rock. They always stay there. When the sun comes out they come out from underneath the river, make themselves warm. They sit and they look around. When they Read more…