Description
This painting shows the Djambarrpuyŋu clan design ḏaruma (Baler Shell) who is also known as Yaŋurryaŋurr (spirit). This iconic shell comes from the reef and are home to a large, edible marine gastropod, or sea snail. These sea snails are also a favoured food for many saltwater Yolŋu, often boiled in their shell, with a little extra saltwater, directly on the fire.
Ḏaruma are closely associated with the Djambarrpuyŋu clan design Barala (Ocean Sandbars), which form dhukarr (roads) for Ḏaruma on the ocean floor. Many barala are exposed at low tide at the saltwater Djambarrpuyŋu homeland of Garraṯa, also known as Djawaḻ’ŋur.
The artist Jason Dhawulunbulun explains that the ḏaruma must stay on the right dhukarr (path or track). “So you can’t go another road, you have to go the right road for yikbani. You have to go the right way. He has to stay in that path”.
Dhawulunbulun was taught by his father, Yerrilil, and Yerrilil was in turn taught by his father, painter and Djambarrpuyŋu leader Manuwa and his father’s brothers (also considered fathers in Yolŋu kinship). Featured in both clan miny’tji and manikay (ceremonial song cycles), Ḏaruma demonstrates title to country and authority in ceremony. As Yerrilil explained many years ago, there are other things the boys must first learn before painting this.
Story by Jason Dhawulunbulun, recorded by Hetty Watts, 10 July 2024 with some story by Jason Dhawulunbulun and Colin Yerrilil, edited and spell-checked by SH, Feb 2022.
