Bat'barra (bag to carry fish)
Artist
Lena Djamaraku
Date1991
Object number00015568
NameBag
MediumSedge grass
DimensionsOverall: 330 x 660 mm, 0.25 kg
ClassificationsTools and equipment
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA bat'barra meade by Lena Djamaraku from Bulukhadaru in the Northern Territory. It can also be used to carry fish or as a sieve.
Hunting and carry bags are now predominantly woven by women despite being traditionally made by men. This bag is typical of traditional bags used for carrying food as it has been made with natural fibres and left undecorated.HistoryFishing and gathering in tidal streams and coastal shores was (and still is) a major food source for Indigenous communities of the Northern Territory. They employed a range of equipment to hunt and collect food such as shell fish, barramundi, catfish and water birds. The equipment was often woven from natural fibres and included large fish barriers, small individual traps, sieves and carry bags.
Maningrida is situated on the north central Arnhem Land coast of the Arafura Sea, about 500 km east of Darwin. The Indigenous art community is well known for basket weaving, fibre sculptures and carvings. Many of their objects are made for artistic reasons rather than functional use. For the local Indigenous community the process of making woven objects is part of their traditional lifestyle and the Maningrida Arts and Culture centre supports a range of different Aboriginal language and tribal groups.
Sedge grass is a common material used by artists to weave objects. It is found in saltwater creeks and waterways in the Northern Territory. Once prepared the plant becomes a durable and water resistant material suitable for weaving mats, nets, sculptures and baskets.SignificanceThis bat'barra is representative of Indigenous weaving techniques and everyday functional equipment used in the Northern Territory. It demonstrates the type of utilitarian objects used by men and women when they interact with the sea and rivers.
