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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: Evonne Rraraypum

Language: Djambarrpuyungu

Community: Ramingining

Biography:

Evonne Rraraypum is a strong early career artist who, even though she only started painting professionally in 2021, has already featured in several group exhibitions since 2022. A testament to her natural artistic ability and the countless hours spent honing her skill. Evonne was raised in a family of artists. Her mother, Dorothy Djukulul, was one of the first recognised female painters in Ramingining and taught Evonne and her four sisters how to paint their totem and song lines.

“I like to paint the freshwater story and my mother’s totem.”

While Evonne’s totem is the Jabiru, she prefers to paint her mother totems which largely include the animals of the freshwater story. Ganalbingu Banda (long neck turtle), Lidji Lidji (finch), Buliya (catfish), and Baru (crocodile).

“My mum taught me how to paint at home. I like to paint myself, with my family here at Bula’bula. I teach the young ones how to paint, my grandson. His totem is the white cockatoo and emu. I like to tell my story on canvas and through dancing.”

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