Kun-madj (small dilly bag)
Artist
Lena Yarinkura
(1961)
Date1991
Object number00015567
NameBag
MediumOchre, clay, pandanus leaves
DimensionsOverall: 190 x 175 mm, 0.05 kg
Copyright© Lena Yarinkura
ClassificationsTools and equipment
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionKun-madj are dilly bags from the Arnhem Land region of the Northern Territory used for carrying small fish such as catfish. They could be hung around the neck in order to leave the hands free for hunting. They are a common item across many Aboriginal groups in the Northern Territory and known by a number of different names depending on their region of origin. This bag is painted with red ochre and decorated with painted images of catfish in white clay. Traditionally carry bags were left unadorned but the artist Lena Yarinkura has decorated this Kun-madj to illustrate the type of fish and size caught.
HistoryDilly bags are traditional bags used for gathering food and could be hung around the neck in order to leave the hands free. They are typically woven out of natural fibres including grasses, animal tendons and reeds. Depending on the region of their origin these bags have a variety of names and are produced from different materials. They are typically left undecorated without paint when used for their traditional purpose of gathering food. Today they also serve an artistic purpose and are often painted with images such as catfish.
Pandanus is a common material used in Arnhem Land for making baskets, bags and traps. The plant grows in Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia in damp environments near creeks and waterways. The top leaves of the plant are collected, stripped and dried in preparation to be woven into traditional objects such as baskets, mats, fishing nets and sculptures.
Maningrida is situated on the north central Arnhem Land coast of the Arafura Sea, about 500 km east of Darwin and is home to the Maningrida Arts and Culture centre. The community of Indigenous artists is well known for basket weaving, fibre sculptures and carvings. Many of their objects are made for artistic rather than functional reasons. Unlike other contemporary artists the community at Maningrida uses mainly natural fibres, dyes and materials in their woven pieces. The centre consists of a range of different Aboriginal language and tribal groups who produce works to reflect traditional and contemporary Aboriginal life.SignificanceThis Kun-madj is representative of Indigenous weaving techniques and functional carrying equipment used in Arnhem Land Northern Territory. It is a common utilitarian object used by men and women when hunting and gathering food. Today these functional items are also produced for artistic purposes. The decorative images of catfish on this bag illustrate the importance of the sea to the Indigenous community.
