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Warrawarra Clan

This clan consists of Martay Burarra speakers and relates to the country called Gamurra Gu-yurra which lies between Maningrida and Ramingining in central Arnhem Land.
Thoes totemic animals are ‘gorraporda’ or darter, here depicted with it’s eggs in the nest. Further there is a saltwater crocodile ‘marrchila’, slatwater catfish ‘ganyjal’, a mullet ‘gurndarra’ and a barramundi called ‘rajarra’. As all thoes animals indicate it must be a country with salt and fresh water access. Infact there are many waterholes in this area and the scenery can be imagined as little lakes with waterlilies swimming on top with many sea birds feeding and green grass around.

Name: Thomas Baru


Language: Burarra (Martay), Yan-nhangu


Community: Maningrida


Biography:

Thomas Baru is a young emerging artist from the Warrawarra clan. this clan consist of many strong Burarra-Martay speaking artists such as Clancy Baru and Marcus Pascoe.

His paintings relate to the country called Gamurra Gu-yurra which lies between Maningrida and Ramingining in central Arnhem Land. Common totemic features depicted by this clan are Warraburnburn (a Wangarra or Ghost spirit), Gorraporda (darter), Marrchila/Baru (the saltwater crocodile) and ngokngok (Southern Boobook owl)


© the artist / art centre