The old people used to hunt ngarrbek (echidnas) at night time, when the moon was shining. They would take dogs with them, and the dogs would smell ngarrbek. And the old people would see her and get her and take her home. If there was no moon they wouldn’t go, but if there was, they would go and look for ngarrbek. Echidnas eat termites, and they are often painted entering a termite mound in search of food.
Ngarrbek has the female Yirridjdja moiety skin Ngalkangila. If she smells the campfire of a Nabulanj man, the right skin for her, she will pine after him, as she used to be a woman in the Dreamtime.

Ngalbu ngarrbek ngalka mayh ngalkuken ngadberre.bu ngarringun. Korroko dabborrabbolk birrirey kukak bu dird bolkwolkani. Wanjh birrikakrey duruk dorrengh birrirey birrikebkani duruk nomi ngalbu ngarrbek wanjh birrinani birrimangi ngalbu ngarrbek birrikani kured. Minj birrirawinj bu dirdyak dja bu dird di wanjh birrirey birrikakdirdkani birriyawani ngalbu ngarrbek.

Size 18 x 52 cm | Medium Bark | Catalogue # 1736-21 | Year 2021

Artist  Ina Garnarradj

Ina Garnarradj is the daughter of Peace Wurrkidj and Edward Garnarradj.

OTHER NAMES: Ina Naroldol 

further details

Size 18 x 52 cm
Medium  Bark
Catalogue # 1736-21
Year 2021