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 29 x 52 cm | Medium Bark | Catalogue # 322-22 | Year 2022

Artist  Freddie Nadjawulu Nadjamerrek

Freddie Nadjamerrek is the son of Bardayal ‘Lofty’ and Mary Nadjamerrek. His style is reminiscent of his late father, the prominent artist of the Mok clan in Western Arnhem Land, who passed down his knowledge of land, culture and painting to his children and grandchildren. Like his father, Freddie utilises the single line rarrk that has adorned the rocky caverns and galleries of the stone country for centuries.

further details

Size 29 x 52 cm
Medium  Bark
Catalogue # 322-22
Year 2022