Yawkyawk is a word from the Aboriginal Kunwinjku language, meaning ‘young woman’ and ‘young woman spirit being’.
Sometimes compared to the European notion of mermaids, yawkyawks are usually depicted with the tails of fish. They have long hair, associated with trailing blooms of algae, typically found in Arnhem Land streams and rock pools.
Name: Deborah Wurrkidj
Language: Kuninjku
Name: Temika Namundja
Language: Kuninjku
Community: Maningrida
Ngaldadmurrng (Saratoga) This design tells the story of Saratoga dreaming, a freshwater fish that swims on the edge of creeks and rivers. This design is the Saratoga dreaming from the Mularra songline. Where the Saratoga Read more…
Wubbunj (Paperbark Canoe) “Wubbunj is our traditional canoe. This design is the old history story of how people came to live in this place we call Maningrida. Two old people were staying on the other Read more…
Wayuk (waterlily) This fabric was created using the linocut fabric printing technique, which has been refined at Bábbarra Women’s Centre since it was introduced in the early mid 1990’s The Lino tile is carved by the artist Read more…