Matjka are ceremonial body adornments made from balgurr (Kurrajong). The bark is stripped from the tree, smashed with a rock to soften then boiled, sometimes with natural bush dyes. The balgurr is then rolled in the a rope then used to create ceremonial wear.
Name: Daphne Banyawarra
Language: Ganalbingu
Community: Ramingining
Biography:
Daphne Banyawarra is a strong Ganalbingu woman from Gurrwiliny (Arafura Wetlands) and has been a long term member of the Bula'Bula Arts members and board.
She has worked as a teacher and travelled around Australia and overseas and now works as a consultant, translator and interpreter as well as a being a community leader with many family responsibilities. Banyawarra supports artist members in their creative projects and assists in communications between facilitators and artists thus achieving strong and extraordinary results.
Banyawarra weaves mats and dilly bags, traditional ritual objects and is also responsible for up keeping her families ceremonial objects which are passed on through generations. Such objects need repair and maintenance from a skilled and trusted craftsperson with old inherited knowledge.
Banyawarra’s weaving is tight and meticulous with strong vibrant colours harvested from very particular parts of the jungle surround Ramingining to gain particular tones.
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