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Mandjabu

Kuninjku people traditionally make two sorts of conical fish traps. One called Mandjabu made from milil a vine. And another smaller one called manyilk Mandjabu, made from the grass manylik. The milil conical fish trap is bigger and stronger and used in tidal reaches of creeks to catch large fish. the smaller and lighter manylik trap is used in freshwater flowing creeks to catch smaller fish and freshwater prawns. Traditionally only men were involved in the construction of the large fish traps, but smaller children were used to crawl inside and assist.

Name: Kenan Namunjdja


Language: Kuninjku


Community: Maningrida


Biography:

Kenan Namunjdja is the eldest son of artists Bulanj (1965-2018) and Deborah Yulidjirri.  Trained by his father who was nationally and internationally recognised for his particularly fine rarrk and depiction of the kunkurra (spiralling wind).  His grandfather, Peter Marralwanga (1916-1987), was also a much celebrated bark painter and a leader in the 1970's Outstation movement. Kenan continues this strong legacy, through his exceptionally fine mark-making in depicting the djang of his country, Mankorlod.


© the artist / art centre