Bathi (Pandanus Basket) Bathi are woven from the split leaves of the Screw Palm (Pandanus Spiralis). Coil weaving was introduced to Arnhem Land in the 1930s. It was adapted from techniques used by Indigenous women throughout South East Australia.
Mindirr (Pandanus Bag) Miṉḏirr (dilly bags) are made from gunga (Pandanus spiralis), baḻgurr (kurrajong) and natural bush dyes. The body of the miṉḏirr is made from gunga, and the handles from baḻgurr. Once the gunga fronds and baḻgurr bark have been collected, they are stripped and prepared then Read more…
Emu Dreaming – Yankirri Jukurrpa (Nangala, Nampijinpa-kurlangu) Emu Dreaming: Yankirri Jukurrpa, (Emu Dreaming [Dromaius novaehollandiae]) is at Warlukurlangu, near Yuendumu. This Jukurrpa story belongs to Jangala/Jampijinpa and Nangala/Nampijinpa. The emus travel all over our country, and find water along the Read more…
Ocean Dreaming In the beginning, the Great Spirit of the Sea created the vast and endless ocean, a place of beauty and mystery. She painted the waters with her brush of foam and painted the sky with her brush of Read more…
Djamo (dog) The djamo (dog) holds special mythological as well as practical significance for people of Central Arnhem land, particularly women. The men used to go hunting with a spear and the women with a dog. If the men didn’t catch Read more…
Djamo (dog) The djamo (dog) holds special mythological as well as practical significance for people of Central Arnhem land, particularly women. The men used to go hunting with a spear and the women with a dog. If the men didn’t catch Read more…
Mimih Spirit The mimih spirit exists in a realm that runs parallel to and mirrors many facets of human life, also demonstrating the deep sense of time and place understood by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Such spirits feature Read more…
Ngalyod (Rainbow Serpent) The rainbow serpent is a powerful mythological figure for all Aboriginal people throughout Australia. Characteristics of the rainbow serpent vary greatly from group to group and also depending on the site. Often viewed as a female generative Read more…