Bula’bula Arts

Naku (canoe)

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…

Lungurrma (North-east Wind) Lungurrma (North-east Wind) heralds the new season when seas are calm and new growth starts. The months for this type of wind are October to December. There are big clouds without thunder or rain. The triangular patterning represents monsoon clouds ‘standing up’ on the northern horizon. The Read more…

Djerrk (Bush String Bag) Djerrk are primarily made from the bark of Baḻgurr (Red-flowered Kurrajong – Brachychiton megaphyllus) but sometimes Banyan tree (Ficus virens) and Cocky Apple tree (Planchonia careya). Sections of the tree are cut, and depending on the size, whole portions or part portions from the trunk. The Read more…

Shield Shields were used as modesty shields for women, normally worn around the shoulders or around the waist.

Blanket Margaret has used traditional weaving methods to create this blanket from the bark of a stringybark tree. The plant material is worked and treated in the ways passed on from ancestors and in doing so, Yolngu recreate and identify with sacred ceremonial objects which connect Yolngu to each other, Read more…

Burruna – Darrpa ga Dhamiling dhawu (king brown snake and blue tongue lizard story) This is the story for the Djambarrpuyngu Wanybarrnga people of their country Djarraya & Lungurrungur, south-east of Galiwinku.   A long time ago the darrpa (king brown snake) left his home and went hunting when a dhamiling 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…

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.