We find ngalmangiyi (Long Necked Turtles, Chelodina rugosa) in open areas like flood plains. Women will go out looking for “mim”, the small holes the turtles breathe through as they lie buried under the mud. In the old days, women would take a digging stick called “kunbarlkbu”, which they sharpened so it would penetrate the mud. Nowadays women fashion turtling sticks from old pieces of metal, which they sharpen and make wooden handles for. These are called “kubba” (from the English “crowbar”). If the stick makes a knocking sound when it goes into the mud, people know there is a turtle there. People take the turtles and cook them on the fire or in ground ovens, opening them up to eat them. The best times for hunting turtle are the six or so months after Kudjewk (the monsoon season) that occurs in the beginning of the year.
There is a Long-Necked Turtle Dreaming site in Gunbalanya, at the base of the large rocky hill called Nimbabirr to the northeast of the town.

Ngalbu Ngalmangiyi ngalka karrinan karrimang kore kubolkwarlahken kunred kore kabbal kayo Morlehmorlenj daluk nawu ngad bininj birrirey kabbal mim birriyawani. Birrikani kunbarlkbu kundulk birrimangi birrimirrhmarnbuni bu korroko dja bolkkime kubba wirlmurr nawu balanda marnbom. Birrirey birrimangi birrikani birriworrhmi kunak birrikinjeyi birrikomngukmangi birriwilkdengi rungi djolengmeni birriwayhkeyi birrimarrhmangi birringuni. Kondah Ngalmangiyi Djang kahdjangdi kore kahwarderri Nimbabirr kore kanjdjihkanjdji kore kuwardedume kahdjangdi Ngalmangiyi.

Size 35 x 15 cm | Medium Bark | Catalogue # 1503-23 | Year 2023

Artist  Reuben Balarda Manakgu

He is the son of Hopie and Miindabal Manakgu and a brother of Andrew Manakgu.Bininj name Balarda Reuben calls Djurlka karrardwarrekenh(mother land ).Makkah Wunnju and Kakkak Wulwunj
Since 2014, Reuben has been known as “Chips”, out of respect for a deceased artist with his old name. His new name was inspired by the famous Darwin based screenprinter and graphic artist Chips Mackinolty  

further details

Size 35 x 15 cm
Medium  Bark
Catalogue # 1503-23
Year 2023