MULUYMULUY WIRRPANDA - BOL'PU

MULUYMULUY WIRRPANDA
BOL'PU,  2023
78 x 39 cm
Earth pigments on Stringybark
 
REGION
Yirrkala NE Arnhem Land, NT
 
PROVENANCE
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, NT
Art Leven, Gadigal NSW
 
STORY
This bol’pu is symbolic of the two ancestral women known as the Djuram. They hung their dilly bags on the Banyan tree. This bag is a symbol of our womanhood.

Those two ladies (Djuram) named Ganapa and Banyili. They were walking across the plain called Garaŋardi or Bukulili. As they were walking, their Bol’pu (dilly bags) were carried on their backs with a string across their forehead.

They were geting Guya (fish) at Milŋurr (waterhole). There’s a few Milŋurr at this place. The Guya (fish) are called Birrkuku (black and white striped butterfish), and Guyula or Narrunpuma (catiish) . This is sacred country for my Dhudi-Djapu clan.

After Djet (osprey) flew off, the two women walked across this country to Dhuruputjpi homeland. The Wayin (bird), Daŋgultji (brolga), flew above while the women fished.

They left their two digging sticks beside the Ḏawu (banyan tree). They hung their dilly bags on this tree. This bag is a symbol of our womanhood.
 
EXHIBITED
Gathul’puy - Belonging to the Mangroves December 14th - January 11th 2024