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Dumbi by Leah Umbagi, Tote Bag

Dumbi is an owl which resides in Ngarinyin country. Two boys teased Dumbi after they found his tree knocked over by the wind. Dumbi could not fly away because he was Mayanki oni (cold) and the Wilmi (dew) was sticking his feathers together. The boys plucked out his feathers and threw him in the air three times. Dumbi flew to the Wandjina named Wonarlirri who said he would create a large Ngarlu mindi (flood) to punish the tribe where the boys came from. At a place called Djunbai mindi, the Wandjina gathered a large flock of Karroongkarli/ Kurranda Nyindi (brolgas) who stomped on a huge Nyalgoorro (black soil plain) to create quicksand. The Ngarlu Mindi came and drowned many people and those who tried to escape were lost in the quicksand. The boys were safe because they were on high ground. They were taken there by Mangarra Djirri (Ungud kangaroo) and they traveled on the kangaroo’s tail. Margurrigurri (tata lizard) warned the Wandjina that the boys had escaped. The rain and lightning started to chase the boys and they ran to a hollowed out Latcurry (boab tree). Once they were in the tree, the Wandjina closed it up and they were lost forever. In another version of the story the children are a boy and girl who survive the flood and mate to produce a new tribe.

 

Product Description:

100% Cotton

W: 45cm x 36cm 

Categories: MOWANJUM ART AND CULTURE CENTRE

Name: Leah Rinjeewala Umbagai

Language: Worrora

Community: Mowanjum

Biography:

Leah is a Woddordda woman, born in the north-west Kimberley in 1974. Leah’s passion for her art comes from her elders influence and teaching.

She grew up with DW and Mildred Mungulu. Leah’s work reflects her relationships, clan, country and passion for teaching and sharing. She is very active in her community and has seven adopted children.

She works with kids and youth encouraging them to live on country and respect their culture, language and heritage. Leah is a respected senior cultural advisor within her community and others. “I dream when I am in my country. In my dreams my grandfather and grandmother give me songs and dances. I believe the spirits show you things through dreams. I often paint what I dream.”

In addition, to her art practice, Leah is a senior cultural advisor for the Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation and contributed extensively to the development and content of the Mowanjum Museum at the Art and Cultural Centre. She worked at the Art centre from the very beginning and also managed the centre for three years.

Apart from working, in acrylic and ochres she also experiments with other media.

Her work was commissioned many times from several museums and collectors.

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