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 32 x 15 cm | Medium Bark | Catalogue # 875-23 | Year 2023

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 32 x 15 cm
Medium  Bark
Catalogue # 875-23
Year 2023