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Karrbarda (Long Yam)

“This design is about collecting karrbarda (yams). The old people use these kungarrndutj (digging sticks) to dig the yams from under the ground. They carry the kunmatj (dilly bags) on their heads for collecting bush food. These yams are purple on the saltwater side of country and inland they are white.” – Deborah Wurrkidj

Deborah Wurrkidj is a Kuninjku artist from the Kurulk clan whose country lies around the outstation of Mumeka in central Arnhem Land. In this design, she has depicted Kun-madj (dilly bag) and karrbarda (long yam). Women dig up long yams with kungarrndutj (digging sticks) and they are then cooked in the ashes of the fire to be eaten.

Kun-madj, or dilly bag, is a large woven collecting basket. These large bags are often made from the vine ‘Malasia scandens’, a strong pliable plant that grows along the floor and into the canopy of monsoon vine thickets. The bags are used to collect heavy foods, such as fish caught in conical fish traps or large collections of yams. They can also be made from Pandanus spiralis, a plant that grows in many areas of Arnhem Land.

Categories: Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

Name: Deborah Wurrkidj

Language: Kuninjku

Community: Maningrida

Biography:

Deborah Kamanj Wurrkidj is a highly regarded and versatile artist known for seamlessly adapting to new art forms while upholding her strong clan traditions. Since 1991, she has worked with Bábbarra Designs, alongside her late mother, Helen Lanyinwanga, and her late sister, Jennifer Wurrkidj. As a leading textile artist and an integral member of the Bábbarra Women’s Centre, Deborah’s contributions have been pivotal to its artistic and cultural output. Deborah is the Duwa djunkay for her mother and grandfathers ancestral dreaming stories.

Her work is vibrant, tactile, and intricate, drawing inspiration from the local natural environment and infused with deep cultural knowledge. Deborah's extensive body of textile art reflects the innovative artistic evolution occurring in Maningrida, which is also evident in her work across various mediums including bush dye silk, screen print and lino print.

In addition to her textiles, Deborah is world-renowned for her bark paintings, lorrkkon(hollow log), and fibre baskets. Since 2001, she has exhibited extensively across Australia, Europe, the United States, and India. Her work is included in most of Australia's major state gallery collections.

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