Alicia Mardday
Dilebang (Rainbow Fish), 2022
pandanus fibre and natural dyes
258 x 41 cm
651-22
The Rainbow fish we call 'dilebang' is like the fish we call nadjirrkku (glassfish, Ambassis spp.), but had a different body. Long ago the old people used to eat dilebang....
The Rainbow fish we call "dilebang" is like the fish we call nadjirrkku (glassfish, Ambassis spp.), but had a different body. Long ago the old people used to eat dilebang. They used to go to the billabongs or river and see lots of them there. They would surround them and block the stream with sticks so that only a little water would flow, then they would catch them. Then they would roast them with coals and eat them.
Dilebang nakka djenj kilekilelh.yiman nadjirrkku dja kukbuyika. Korroko naw dabborrabbolk birringuni nawu dilebang. Birrirey kore manlabbarl dja mankabo birrinani nawern naw dilebang djenj wanjh birridabkeyi birrimangi kundalk birribobalhmi manbu kukku wanih walakkih borey. Wanjh birrimangi naw dienj. Birrikerribuni birringuni.
Dilebang nakka djenj kilekilelh.yiman nadjirrkku dja kukbuyika. Korroko naw dabborrabbolk birringuni nawu dilebang. Birrirey kore manlabbarl dja mankabo birrinani nawern naw dilebang djenj wanjh birridabkeyi birrimangi kundalk birribobalhmi manbu kukku wanih walakkih borey. Wanjh birrimangi naw dienj. Birrikerribuni birringuni.