SPOTLIGHT ON BARKS
Current viewing_room
Djurrayun Murrinyina Australian, Yolngu, b. 1974
Wukili, 2019
Earth pigment on stringybark
44 x 115 cm
839775
The area of sea country belonging to the Djarrwark clan is known as Wukili. It is between Baraltja and Garrapara on Blue Mud Bay. During the time of the first...
The area of sea country belonging to the Djarrwark clan is known as Wukili. It is between Baraltja and Garrapara on Blue Mud
Bay.
During the time of the first morning, the Dhuwa Waŋarr, or creator ancestors, the Djaŋ’kawu paddled their canoe Malili
(paddles Matiny) into this country. They saw caƞish Balwaltja and ‘sheridan’s threadfin’ Malmuŋa and sang them as Dhuwa
totems associated with the special qualities of the saltwater country of Wukili.
The miny’tji (sacred clan design) represents the Djarrwark saltwater itself. The Dhuwa saltwater country is marked by the
straight and parallel ribbons of miny’tji of the Djarrwark. It is read to be water affected by the Ancestral presence of the Djaŋ’
kawu Creators, the forebears of all Dhuwa people who laid down the law in the ancient past, including all the songs, dances,
designs and deeds to land and water.
Bay.
During the time of the first morning, the Dhuwa Waŋarr, or creator ancestors, the Djaŋ’kawu paddled their canoe Malili
(paddles Matiny) into this country. They saw caƞish Balwaltja and ‘sheridan’s threadfin’ Malmuŋa and sang them as Dhuwa
totems associated with the special qualities of the saltwater country of Wukili.
The miny’tji (sacred clan design) represents the Djarrwark saltwater itself. The Dhuwa saltwater country is marked by the
straight and parallel ribbons of miny’tji of the Djarrwark. It is read to be water affected by the Ancestral presence of the Djaŋ’
kawu Creators, the forebears of all Dhuwa people who laid down the law in the ancient past, including all the songs, dances,
designs and deeds to land and water.