Women and girls in Gunbalanya used to go down to the billabong, wade into the water and gather mandem (water lily roots), manbardmo (water lily stems and flowers) and barrdjungka (water lily seeds). Then they would go up the hill and gather firewood. They would cook the roots and seeds in the ashes or coals of the fire, share them around and eat them. We eat the seeds raw or cooked, but the stems are eaten raw. Water Lilies (Nymphaea sp.) are found in bodies of water all through Western Arnhem Land. The seed heads form when the flowers fall under the water, and are also food for magpie geese and whistle ducks. The seeds are ripe in Yekke, the cool season around May-June.

Korroko bu kondah Kunbarllanjnja kunred morlehmorlenj (daluk) dja yawkyawk birrirey kore manlabbarlkimuk birridjuhme birrimangi mandem barrdjungka dja manbardmo wanjh birriyibidbuni karrkad birrirerrngmangi kunrerrng birriworrhmi wanjh birrikinjeyi kore kuwilk dja yika kore kuyirrke wanjh ngandiwoni ngarringuni. Mandu barrdjungka makka ngarrignun mankuk yika mandjoleng. (Text: Andrew Manakgu)

Size 41 x 61 cm | Medium Paper | Catalogue # 2237-22 | Year 2022

Artist  Samson Namundja

Samson Namundja is the son of Dianne Ginjmulu and Bob Wanurr Namundja. 

Samson learned to paint from Lofty, and his father as well as other old men along with Gabriel Maralngurra, Graham Badari, and Glen Namundja.

Samson mostly paints in x-ray style inspired by the rock art but also uses rarrk (cross hatching).

He paints many animals, as well as dreaming stories such as Yawk Yawks and Namarkkon.

Samson also paints Walabi (fishing nets) which he remembers seeing the old people use when he was young.

For him, painting is an important part of culture that should be continued into the future, and wants children to learn and carry on the practice.

further details

Size 41 x 61 cm
Medium  Paper
Catalogue # 2237-22
Year 2022