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: Carol Liyawanga
Language: Kune, Kuninjku
Community: Maningrida
Biography:
Carol was born on a remote cattle station, near Bulmun community, where her mother was working at the time.
Carol now lives with her family on the remote homeland of Buluhkaduru. Carol currently works as a remote homelands supervisor, managing the Buluhkaduru women's centre.
She is a talented weaver of pandanus and a lino cut artist. Her mother taught her how to weave baskets and dilly bags, and collect the natural fibres from the bush land. Carol has strong knowledge in Arnhem Land plants and native wild foods.
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