JULIE DJULIBING - MINDIRR(Pandanus Bag)

JULIE DJULIBING
MINDIRR(Pandanus Bag),  2023
34 x 32 cm
Natural Fibre
 
REGION
Ramingining, NT
 
PROVENANCE
Bula'bula Arts, NT
Art Leven, NSW
 
STORY
Mindirr (dilly bags) are made from gunga (Pandanus spiralis), baḻgurr (kurrajong) and natural bush dyes. The body of the mindirr is made from gunga, and the handles from balgurr. Once the gunga fronds and baḻgurr bark have been collected, they are stripped and prepared then boiled with the dyes. Mindirr were used traditionally for every day utilitarian purposes, particularly collecting bush foods such as bältji (yam). Traditionally, the balgurr handles were worn across the forehead while the body of the mindirr sat at the back, between the shoulder blades making it easily accessible when collecting ŋatha (food).