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 41 x 61 cm | Medium Paper | Catalogue # 6012-18 | Year 2018

Artist  Dennis Naroldol

Dennis Naroldol is the son of Rosie Nabegeyo and Fred Naroldol. Back in the 1970s he was taught how to paint by his father and his grandfather Bob Dirdi Balirrbalirr. They showed him how to paint on dollobo (bark),  make Mankole (spears) and gave him knowledge of how to become an artist. Dennis’ work is characterised by incredibly fine and precise rarrk, a style he got from his elders. He paints stories from his country, Namokardabu, and his mother’s country at Mandilbareng, as well as stories from his wife, Elaine Naroldol’s country, such as Yawk Yawk Djang kore Marlwon (Water Spirits dreaming at Marlwon).

further details

Size 41 x 61 cm
Medium  Paper
Catalogue # 6012-18
Year 2018