Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

Makéddja (Turtle) Makéddja is the generic word for turtle in the Ndjébbana language of the Kunibidji people of Maningrida.  

Yawkyawk ‘Yawkyawk swim underneath the rock. They always stay there. When the sun comes out they come out from underneath the river, make themselves warm. They sit and they look around. When they sit, they cry to themselves. Ngaldjorlhbo (mother of everything) she created them – yawkyawk and the other Read more…

Yawkyawk ‘Yawkyawk swim underneath the rock. They always stay there. When the sun comes out they come out from underneath the river, make themselves warm. They sit and they look around. When they sit, they cry to themselves. Ngaldjorlhbo (mother of everything) she created them – yawkyawk and the other Read more…

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 Read more…

Jin-merduwa (mermaid) A beautiful, one-off, linocut, hand printed design by Elizabeth Wullunmingu depicting the story of Jin-merduwa.  Sometimes she also includes her Garriwa turtle print.  My niece, Stephanie James, is singing a song called Diyama, and it is about Jin-merduwa. She is in the Ripple Effect Band. They are now famous Read more…

Kayawa (baby floor mat) Baby floor mat

Lady Dreaming ‘Lady Dreaming is near the three palm trees, Ngarndúma on the Arnhem highway. One of the mermaids is called Jilapara and the other is Lilima – they are two sisters. My husbands grandmother knows this story. She’s like djomi but different. This one is big and fat, djomi Read more…

An-maka (stingray) An-maka means stingray in the Burarra Gun-nartpa language.

Lady Dreaming ‘Lady Dreaming is near the three palm trees, Ngarndúma on the Arnhem highway. One of the mermaids is called Jilapara and the other is Lilima – they are two sisters. My husbands grandmother knows this story. She’s like djomi but different. This one is big and fat, djomi Read more…

Marebu Deborah Wurrkidj is a Kuninjku artist from the Kurulk clan whose country lies around the outstation of Mumeka in central Arnhem Land. She is an accomplished artist working across mediums including painting, sculpture, weaving and textile design. For this design, Deborah Wurrkidj has depicted Marebu (woven pandanus mats). Works Read more…