Namarnkol, the barramundi, is a very important fish for us Bininj (Aboriginal people). Namarnkol are found in the ocean, in floodwaters, and in freshwater billabongs, rivers and creeks. In the old days, people used to spear them with djalakirradj (three-pronged fish spears) and walabi (traditional triangular nets). Nowadays, we catch them with fishing lines and modern nets. Namarnkol are most easily caught from the end of the monsoon (March -April) until the humid “build up” season (October-November). There are sites in lots of clan countries where the ancestral Barramundi placed itself as a Dreaming. Men and women will say “My Dreaming is Barramundi, it placed itself in my country”.

Nawu Namarnkol djenj nakka wanjh nadjalkuken djenj ngadberre nawu ngarrikukburlerri dja birrikukbele. Namarnkol kare kore kurrula yika kabirriyime kore mibokala dja kukku kubowinjku kore mankabo manlabbarl manwanjdjad. Bu korroko birridanjbuni djalakkiradj dja walabi birrimangi. Dja bolkkime wanjh wakkidj karrimang dja balandakenh nawu walabi. Namarkol djang kadjangdi kore kubolkwarlah kunred bedberre kore namarnkol djangkurrmerrinj bu korroko duninjh. Wanjh nawu bininj dja daluk kayime ngaye djang ngarduk namarnkol djangkurrmerrinj kore kunred ngarduk.

Size 55 x 7cm | Medium Bark | Catalogue # 923-23 | Year 2023

Artist  Merrill Ngalkalkdjam Namundja

Merrill Girrabul is the daughter of established fibre artist Jill Nganjmirra. The level of skill and innovation in Merrils work is reminiscent of that of her mothers and continues a family tradition of artistry, given her grandparents were the painter Spider Namarriki, and fibre artist Wendy Wirlyuna Djogiba. Merrill’s aunts on her mothers side are all also practicing fibre artists.

The delight in forming complex patterns and intricate designs is increasingly evident in Merrills work. Her baskets feature in Twined Together, a comprehensive
publication and survey of the fibre work of western Arnhem Land. She has also
participated as a tutor in weaving workshops in Darwin and Oenpelli, sharing her knowledge and skill with university field school students and international
visitors.(From Twined Together)

Merrill works at Injalak Arts & Crafts as an arts worker and regularly talks to tourists and visitors about the art and culture of the region and introduces them to the weavers and shows them the natural colours and pandanus that make up the fibre art.  

further details

Size 55 x 7cm
Medium  Bark
Catalogue # 923-23
Year 2023