377810582278584

Published by on

Kunmadj (baskets) in many colours

Kunmadj is the Kuninjku term for large woven collecting baskets, known as dillybags.

They are often made from the burney vine (Malaisia scandens), a strong, pliable plant that grows along the ground and into the canopy of monsoon vine thickets. The baskets are used to collect a variety of heavy foods, such as fish caught in conical fish traps or a good harvest of yams. As well as being of practical use, dillybags are of cultural significance to Arnhem Land people. Dillybags are totemic objects and they are associated with particular sites in the landscape.

Categories: Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

Name: Abigail Gurawiliwili Namundja

Language: Ndjébbana, Kune, Kuninjku

Community: Maningrida

Biography:

Abigail has beenan artist with Bábbarra Designs since 2012 and became a member of the Arts Worker team in 2023. She comes from a strong line of talented artists, her mother is the late J. Wurrkidj and her grandmother was the late Helen Lanyinwanga. Three generations of women from Abigail’s family worked together at Bábbarra Women’s Centre, sharing knowledge and creating new designs together. Abigail often prints Lino from her family collection, carrying on the memory of the women who came before her. 

Abigail's totems are Gungura (Spiral wind),  Kunwardde (Stone country rocks), Yawkyawk ( young woman spirit) and Ngalyod (rainbow serpent) and she often celebrates wildflowers in her work. 

Related Posts

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

377810582322206

Namurre Boko A two colour screen print design from 2022. Jay’s first large format design to join the Bábbarra Designs Collection. ‘This is my first one, I’m really happy, I’m proud. It’s just a songline Read more…

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

377810582317318

Ngaldjorlhbo (Mother of Everything) Ngaldjorlhbo is a powerful woman who created the spiritual and tangible world for the Aboriginal people in Western Arnhem Land. In creating the land and environment, she endowed Kuninjku people with the Read more…

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

377810582317316

Welebme (flat) This is a Kune word that refers to the flattening out of items stones, flat leaves and kunbad (money).  This design shows different items that have flattened out. Carol designed this for her grandkids to Read more…

© the artist / art centre