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 61 x 41 cm | Medium Paper | Catalogue # 122-20 | Year 2020

Artist  William Djawirda Manakgu

William Manakgu is the son of Solomon Manakgu and the well known weaver Anne Gumurdul. His brother Vincent Manakgu is also a painter. He is a traditional owner for Coopers Creek (Mangardubu) and Kubirdbu. William calls Kunbarllanjnja (Gunbalanya) karrardwarrekenh (mother land). Andrew Manakgu calls him korlonj (son). William is known for his intricate full rarrk paintings on bark and Arches paper.

further details

Size 61 x 41 cm
Medium  Paper
Catalogue # 122-20
Year 2020