Giny-giny (Catfish) Peter Gambong is painting the Giny-giny (Catfish) story from his Gupapuyngu ancestry. The Giny-giny is a particularly significant animal to Peter, and the Giny-giny song line is one of two song lines which Peter uses in ceremony. Peter would perform the Giny-giny song line at a Gupapuyngu funeral Read more…
Baltji (Yam) This painting depicts Baltji (Yam) which has been a reliable food source for Yolngu people for many centuries. Baltji can be found across the different landscapes of East Arnhem Land and are only harvested seasonally.
Dhulumburrk (Waterlily) This painting depicts Dhulumburrk (Nymphaea violacea), a fresh waterlily. The flowers and lily pads of fresh waterlilies can be seen far and wide across the Arafura wetlands, providing coverage for many animal species including Banda (long-necked turtle) and Baru (crocodile). The flowers come in many beautiful colours, in Read more…
Lurrpu ga Marrngu in the Mayku Tree This painting depicts Lurrpu (Sulphur-crested cockatoo) and Marrngu (possum) in a Mayku Tree (Paper Bark Tree) and is a song line for the Gupapuyngu people. In the song line the Lurrpu feed on nuts and seeds of the Mayku Tree across the vast Read more…
Wagilag Hunting 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 out of the southern interior and across Read more…
Djanda ga Marrngu in the Mayku tree This painting depicts Djanda (goanna) and Marrngu (possum) in a Mayku Tree (Paper Bark Tree) and is a song line for the Gupapuyngu people. In the song line the Djanda and Marrngu live in the depths of the Mayku Tree across the vast Read more…
Dhanbaniny (King Brown Snake) This painting depicts Dhanbaniny (King Brown Snake). This is a Dhuwa dreaming and is the totem for Borruwa and her two sisters Burruna and Djampalil. Dhanbaniny can be found across the dry landscapes of NE Arnhem Land particularly during the dry season.
Garrawura Minyt’ji Each Yolngu clan was created by their ancestors as they moved along the country whilst they were singing, dancing and talking. Each time they arrived at a new land, they created distinct rom (culture, law). A part of this rom is miny’tji (art, totemic designs, colours). Each clan Read more…
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…
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…