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Raypiny Dhawu (Fresh Water Story)

All Aboriginal people originate from a spiritual source, fixed in a particular place in their land or the sea. These ‘spiritual reservoirs’ are often in the form of special waterholes made by Wangarr (creative spirits) that were created long ago close to the beginning of time. These creator beings moved across the countryside, shaping the land and implanting in each tract of country, the spiritual life force for the people who were to own it. These creative spirits took many forms and when they gave the land to each group, they also gave songs, dances, ceremony, the associated laws and language.

 

The creation story for Ganalbingu people took place near the middle section of the Glyde River where it becomes the Goyder River. Their land, Ngaliyindi, sits astride the Arafura Swamp in Central Arnhem Land. Many Ganalbingu artists paint totemic species significant to their clan. These can include baru (crocodile), banda (long necked turtle), buliya (catfish), yalman (waterlilies), gumang (magpie geese), dakawa (fresh water yabby), ratjuk (barramundi), warrnyu (flying fox) and more.

 

Categories: Bula'bula Arts

Name: Dorothy Djampalil

Language: Djambarrpuyngu

Community: Ramingining

Biography:

Dorothy Djampalil is an emerging artist, born in Millingimbi into a family of strong and prolific painters. Dorothy was raised and taught to paint by her mum, D Djukulul, a respected artist and one of the first recognised female painters in Ramingining. Her stepfather, renowned Yolŋu painter Djardi Ashley, is also a strong influence in her artistic style.


Dorothy likes to paint her own totem, Banumbirr (Morning Star). However, prefers to depict the totem of her mother and grandfather. These include Lungurrmar (North-East Wind), Baru (crocodile), Lidji Lidji (finch), Ganalbungi Banda (long-neck turtle) from the freshwater story, Gumang Yalman (Magpie Goose), Damilipa (blue tongue lizard), and Dawurrmunuk (itchy caterpillar).

“I want the people to know I paint my mother’s story on the canvas.”

While Dorothy doesn’t have any children of her own, she paints every day with her sisters, Evonne, Joy Borruwa and Joy Burruna, as well as her nieces and nephews. Maintaining the strong family history of painting their cultural story.

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