Images(6)

Dirimbi, The Ring

Date2017

Object number00055238

NameRing

MediumMetal; phosphorus bronze

DimensionsOverall (Outer): 20 mm, 32 g, diameter 35 mm (approx to widest point)
Display dimensions (Inner): Diameter 20 mm (approx to widest point)

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionA bronze ring by Djuwakan #2 Marika made from a mould created from the tail of a porcupine ray (Dirimbi). Dirimbi is a special stingray that has rings on its tail, Yolŋu hunters wear stingray skins tails as a trophy of their catch. This is a thousand year old tradition and the first known example of traditional Aboriginal ring design. HistoryArtist's statement: "This marany’djalk (stingray) is ŋarraku ŋändiwu bäpurru. It belongs to my mother clan. Its name is Dirimbi. I got it from Binydjarrŋa (Daḻiwuy Bay). We eat the body and cut the tail and make this ring here. Dirimbi is not like the other stingray we eat; Gawaŋalkmi, Gawukalaŋ, Gurrtjpi, Bämbi and Ṉamal. It has no poisonous barb but it’s body is completely covered in spines. Its English name is Porcupine Ray (Urogymnus asperrimus). In the old days the old people would use a ring like this to look good. I know this. Nowadays men still wear this ring. I saw Duŋgala at Garrthalala once. He went hunting and got heaps of stingray including Dirimbi and they all used rings like these when I was little. You get some of the power of the stingray. And we also rub the raw liver of the stingray on our bodies to make our skin smooth and strong again. It makes us feel strong when we are wearing this ring and people can see that we are powerful. I brought my ring to the art centre and I thought about making it so that people would know our ways . People don’t know that Yolŋu men have rings too. And so we had it cast in brass and now here we are. Giving the background story for this Dirimbi ring." - Djuwakan #2 Marika, Buku-Larrnggay Mulka CentreSignificanceSignificant in providing a contemporary piece of work that looks at a thousand year old tradition held by the Yolŋu men. It provides us with an understanding of their hunting and cultural practices and their links to the sea and the animals they hunt.