Manmakkawarri (the salmon catfish, Hexanematichthys leptaspis) is a good eating fish. It is found in the freshwater rivers, creeks and waterholes of West Arnhem Land. There is a Catfish Dreaming site in Gunbalanya, a rounded rock with protrudes from the ground on the south side of the town. In the old days, people used to take a leafy branch of mandubang (ironwood, Erythrophlum chlorostachys) and hit the rock with them, calling out to the Ancestors to supply plentiful fish to them. Then they would go down to the billabong, and find lots of catfish there which they would catch with walabi (traditional triangular nets) or djalakkiradj (multi-pronged fishing spears).

Manmakkawarri ngalbu djenj ngalkanjmak bu ngarringun. Kare kore kubowinjku kukku kore mankabo manwanjdjad dja kore manlabbarl. Manmakkawarri Djang kahdjangdi kodah kore Kunbarllanjnja.Korroko dabborrabbolk nawu kondah kunred bedberre birrirey kunworr mandubang birrimangi birriwodbuni birridjangweyi wanjh kolungi kore manlabbarlkimuk nawu nawern djenj manmakkawarri.Wanjh birrimangi walabi yika birridanjbuni djalakkiradj.

Size 41 x 61 cm; acrylic on arches paper | Medium Paper | Catalogue # 32-22 | Year 2022

Artist  Connie Nayinggul

Connie Nayinggul is a daughter of Doris Badari and Jacob Nayinggul and a sister of Katie and brother of Samuel Nayinggul.Ngalwamud Ngalmanilakarr. She is married to Joseph Garnarradj. She previously worked at Injalak as a cataloguer and as Park Ranger. Connie often shares her deep knowledge of Kunwinjku culture. She hosts school groups at her outstation and in 2019 appeared on various television programs including Gardening Australia speaking about botany and rock art on her country. She now lives on her outstaion at Mikkinj and continues to weave fibre art including earrings, coil baskets and animal sculptures. 

further details

Size 41 x 61 cm; acrylic on arches paper
Medium  Paper
Catalogue # 32-22
Year 2022