Djarrka (goanna) Djarrka is a freshwater goanna that can be found in small inland creeks and feeds on small crabs and yabbies. People hunt this goanna for food and they can be very delicious to eat, like other meats you can find around and in the creek. Djarrka is a Read more…
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.
Raypiny Dhawu (Fresh Water Story) All Aboriginal people originate from a spiritual source, fixed in a particular place in their land or the sea. These ‘spiritual reservoirs’ are often in the form of special waterholes made by Wangarr (creative spirits) that were created long ago close to the beginning of Read more…
Djang’kawu sisters Creation Story featuring mud crabs longbums and lizards This painting is part of the Djang’kawu sisters Creation Story. The details of this story can vary according to clan and/or country, but the central story is the same, which is one of fertility and procreation. The Djang’kawu sisters gave Read more…
Woven Mat Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) were used as an insect screen when erected, and as a sitting mat when folded. They are used in Ceremony as well as a functional item. Nowadays, artists weave many different shapes including flat, round and oblong.
Raypiny Dhawu (Fresh Water Story) All Aboriginal people originate from a spiritual source, fixed in a particular place in their land or the sea. These ‘spiritual reservoirs’ are often in the form of special waterholes made by Wangarr (creative spirits) that were created long ago close to the beginning of Read more…
Woven Mat Traditionally, Nganiyal (conical mats) were used as an insect screen when erected, and as a sitting mat when folded. They are used in Ceremony as well as a functional item. Nowadays, artists weave many different shapes including flat, round and oblong.
Wagilag ga Wititj Dhawu (Wagilag Sisters and Olive Python Story) The Wagilag Sisters are central to the four important ceremonies of the Dhuwa moiety; the Djungguwan, the Gunabibi, the Ngulmarrk, and the Mandaialla. The story is primarily an account of how, in the distant past, the two Wagilag Sisters came Read more…
Raypiny Dhawu (Fresh Water Story) All Aboriginal people originate from a spiritual source, fixed in a particular place in their land or the sea. These ‘spiritual reservoirs’ are often in the form of special waterholes made by Wangarr (creative spirits) that were created long ago close to the beginning of Read more…
Matjka (Ceremonial Body Wear) Matjka are ceremonial body adornments made from balgurr (Kurrajong). The bark is stripped from the tree, smashed with a rock to soften then boiled, sometimes with natural bush dyes. The balgurr is then rolled in the a rope then used to create ceremonial wear.