Biddy Lindsay Yiyguun 1940
MalakMalak and Ngolok Wanga
Dek Delikan
Merrepen Arts
Nauiyu, Daly River,
Fitzmaurice region,
Northern Territory
Merrepen
Sand palm fibre craft
Etching on paper
”The new leaves from the merrepen sand palm are pulled out of the apex before they unfold. These are then split into fine threads and sun dried. The fibres are dyed and then twisted into string. The string is used for dilly-bags, fishing nets and other fibre craft products. The many spectacular colours of the fibres are made using different plants and roots. The weaving of the string is performed with a looping technique taught from mother to daughter. The bag handle is carried across the forehead with the bag on the back, so that the hands are free to collect bush tucker when out in the bush.”
Mussel Bags
Etching on paper
”This print is of two bags made of delik reeds used to carry and keep collected fresh-water mussels. In the bags the mussels would be carried back to the camps, where they would be cooked up and eaten. If some of the mussels were to be stored for later they would be left inside the mussel bag and kept under water to keep the mussels fresh.”
