Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

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Kunbowinjku (Fresh Water) 2022

Kunbowinjku (fresh water)

A new design made in 2022 featuring a mandjabu (fish trap), kunmadj (dilly bag) and fresh water weed.

 

‘This design is kunbowinjku – which is fresh water, kunronj. This is a mandjabu – fish trap which is floating in a creek. Fish will go in like yabby, long neck turtle and barramundi. This is a Kuninjku style of fish trap used for hunting. My father is from my Kuninjku side and he used this kind of trap. My mum is from my Kunibidji – Ndjebenna language side. This mandjabu is made from manylik grass.’

Raylene Bonson

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Ngalng (fresh water yabby)

Ngalng (fresh water yabby)

‘This is a story from Mankorlod. This is a djang story. This is the creation story about the fresh water yabby. Starting with the stone, that’s the raw one and the cooked one. The stone rock suddenly turned to ngalng, in a flash. Ngalng started growing and turned into a body. It’s a magic one and it can change from rock to ngalng to human and back to ngalng. Now it’s a ngalng. 

The country is near Mankorlod and Korlobididah. The ngalng is stuck there forever on the rock at Korlobididah,’ 

‘There is also duruk (camp dog) called ‘Djanbokkon’. This is a duruk that comes from water and no one has seen it. This is a true duruk, he goes everywhere in the country. His body is striped. He is a secret dog and he has a secret story.’ 

Janet Marawarr 2022

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Fresh Water Flowers

This is a new circular design by Jacinta Lamilami depicting waterlily’s growing in Freshwater water billabongs. 

 

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Kunkurra (Spiral Wind)

‘My designs, they are all alive living up in my head’- Janet Marawarr

Janet Marawarr has depicted kunkurra, the spiralling wind associated with several sites in the Kardbam clan. On one level, this design can be interpreted as a depiction of the kinds of mini-cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land, where the artist lives. Kunkurra also relates specifically to a site called Bilwoyinj, near Mankorlod, on the artist’s clan estate.

At this site, two of the most important Kuninjku creation beings, a father and son known as na-korrkko, are believed to have hunted and eaten a goanna. They left some of the goanna fat behind at the site, which turned into the rock that still stands there today.

Bilwoyinj site is also a ceremonial ground for a ceremony called Yabbaduruwa, a major ceremony owned by the Yirridja patrimoiety. The Yabbaduruwa ceremony is primarily concerned with initiation, land ownership and promoting the cyclical regeneration of the human and natural worlds.

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Barramundi and Long Neck Turtle

This fabric was created using the linocut printing technique. The lino tile has been carved by the artist in Maningrida, and has been printed by hand using a variety of colours and layers. The linocut technique ensures each textile piece is a one-off, limited edition piece. Bábbarra Women’s Centre supports the economic independence of Indigenous women in the Arnhem Land community of Maningrida, Northern Territory, Australia. Designs created by the women at Bábbarra reflect strong cultural knowledge, which is passed down to younger generations through their textile design practice.

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Warakkála (Long Yam)

Warakkála is the name of a place on Entrance Island meaning ‘ there are many long yams’. 

Warakkála is a kind of long yam, bush tucker for the Kunibidji people. These yams are roasted in ashes or hot water. They have méameya (hair) which is depicted in Marilyn’s Lino tile.

Marilyn James’ homeland is Entrance Island.

Resource: Ndjébbana Dictionary 2007

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Waterlily and Barramundi

This fabric was created using the linocut printing technique. The lino tile has been carved by the artist in Maningrida, and has been printed by hand using a variety of colours and layers. The linocut technique ensures each textile piece is a one-off, limited edition piece. Bábbarra Women’s Centre supports the economic independence of Indigenous women in the Arnhem Land community of Maningrida, Northern Territory, Australia. Designs created by the women at Bábbarra reflect strong cultural knowledge, which is passed down to younger generations through their textile design practice.

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