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Barnda – long neck turtle In the mythology or dreaming history of the Ganalbingu and Gurrgurrdjunggu peoples, two sisters who were the human forms of barnda ‘the Long-neck Turtle’ (Chelodina rugosa) came travelling a long distance from the east towards Ganalbingu country in Central Arnhem Land. They travelled through Martay country arriving at Read more…

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Yarrpanj (Honeybees) The artist has depicted the native honeybees and the honey they produce. Wild honey, called ‘woma’ in Burarra language, is produced by a number of species of native sting less honeybees of the [Genus Trigona]. Some make their hives in trees, some in the ground, especially in the Read more…

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Morning Star Pole The ceremony known throughout Arnhem Land generically as Marradjiri is a ceremony of diplomacy given by one group to another to establish good relations and to strengthen kinship (for example by marriage) and economic ties (for example the sharing of clan estate resources). The central object in Read more…

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Kalawan (Goanna) This painting depicts a goanna embedded in an intricate depiction of kunkurra, the mini cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land. Kunkurra also relates specifically to the Bilwoyinj site. At this site, two of the most important Kuninjku creation beings, a father and son, hunted and Read more…

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Morning Star The ceremony known throughout Arnhem Land generically as Marradjiri is a ceremony of diplomacy given by one group to another to establish good relations and to strengthen kinship (for example by marriage) and economic ties (for example the sharing of clan estate resources). The central object in the Read more…

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