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 # 1533-23 | Year 2023

Artist  Sprotin Bangarr

Sprotin is an emerging artist and screen printer. He is employed by Injalak to print and gather, prepare natural painting materials such as stringy bark and ochres. Sprotin is also engaged in the Media Unit and takes photographs and videos for projects.

As well as being a gifted artist, Sprotin guides tours of Injalak Hill and shares his extensive knowledge of the rock art with tourists from all around Australia and the world.

further details

Size 41 x 61 cm
Medium  Paper
Catalogue # 1533-23
Year 2023