Bula’bula Arts

Nawarlah (Brown River Stingray) Aboriginal art in Ramingining, Central Arnhem Land is commonly illustrated through designs and images of animals, plants, and landscape. These motifs commonly reflect the artists ancestral inheritance and their dreamings and are referred to as totems. For this, Serena has woven a stingray.

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. 

Dhirrithirri (ceremonial skirt) Dhirrithirri is a ceremonial skirt made from balgurr (kurrajong). They are worn by both men and women for different ceremonies particularly dhapi (boys initiation ceremony).

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. 

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. 

Malka (Ceremonial Head Wear) Malka are ceremonial head 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. 

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.

Ngambi (limestone spearheads) This painting illustrates elements from the Wagilag Sisters’ Creation story.  Ngambi are the stone spear heads that the sisters collected at Ngilipitji on their way to Mirarrmina. The Wagilag Sisters’ Story is primarily an account of how in the distant past the two Wagilag Sisters came out Read more…

Buliya (catfish) Buliya (catfish) are a favourite fish for Yolngu, They are often depicted amongst the waterlillies, leeches and natural debris such as leaves and reeds.