Description
Birku’ are ceremonial fighting sticks that are associated with Galarra, a billabong at Ḻaŋarra. They are cut from the mangroves and sometimes depicted with ḻatjin (mangrove worm) inside the timber. They have ends shaped like the tail of the Ŋuykal (giant trevally). The rärrk (cross-hatching) on the length of the stick represents saltwater currents. When the two fighting sticks hit one another, one breaks, and they are depicted both together and as one strong stick.
When the two Manydjikay clans, Wangurri and Wobulkarra come together for a bäpurru (funeral) they carry their Birku’ and perform the Birku’ buŋgul (dance). Wobulkarra Birku’ are red and yellow. Wangurri Birku’ are white and black. The Birku’ in this work belong to the Wobulkarra.
