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Yawkyawk Sari

Deborah Kamanj Wurrkidj b. 1971, Darwin, Australia YAWKYAWK (YOUNG WOMAN SPIRIT)

Janet Kalidjan Marawarr b. 1962, Oenpelli, Australia YAWKYAWK LA NGALNG (YOUNG WOMAN SPIRIT AND YABBY)

Owen Ngarridj Yalandja b. 1962, Oenpelli, Australia YAWKYAWK (YOUNG WOMAN SPIRIT)

Joy Bulandjan Garlbin b. 1959, Maningrida, Australia DJÓMI (MERMAID)

Elizabeth Gochan Wullunmingu b. 1972, Darwin, Australia JIN-MERDAWA (MERMAID)

Woodblock print on handwoven silk, extract print with organic dyes

Design brief by Janet Marawarr

Print composition by Anshu Arora and Prithi Pais

Printed by artisans at Tharangini Studio

Woodblock carving by Shri C.H. Sreeram and Shri S.K. Rajak

Fabric by Nandita Sulur

Yawkyawk is a word from the Aboriginal Kunwinjku and Kuninjku language, meaning young woman and young woman spirit being. Residing in fresh or saltwater, some Yawkyawk have long hair, associated with trailing blooms of algae. The female water spirit and fertility mermaid for the Kunibidji people is known as Djómi. Kuninjku artist Owen Ngarridj Yalandja is a senior member of the Darnkolo clan,custodians of an important Yawkyawk site near their outstation, Barrihdjowkkeng. The Yawkyawk djang (cultural histories) is central to the Darnkolo clan’s identity, for which they have spiritual and cultural responsibility. Yalandja was impressed by the carving technique on the woodblocks that returned with the team from India in 2023. He submitted a Yawkyawk design to Raylene Bonson for carving, and she prepared it for Tharangini Studio. Yalandja’s design is repeated throughout this sari. Yawkyawk swim underneath the rock. They always stay there. When the sun comes out they come out from underneath the river, make themselves warm. When they sit, they cry [sing] to themselves. Sometimes they go out to find the manme (food) and the mankung (sugarbag honey). – Janet Kalidjan Marawarr