Dhalmula #2 Burarrwaŋa
Baḻkpaḻk
paper size 66 cm x 56.5 cm; image size 42 cm x 39 cm Somerset paper

ID: 8070-21

Baḻkpaḻk is an Yirritja tree known by outsiders as Sterculia quadrifida or native peanut.

• a deciduous tree growing to 12 metres in height, with large ovate leaves
• bright red fruit that splits open to expose edible black shiny seeds
• produces fruit and seeds from June to December; seeds have commercial potential for use as a non-allergenic peanut substitute
• grows in monsoon vine forests and thickets and is common across the northern parts of the Northern Territory
genus name Sterculia derives from Sterculius (the Roman god of dung) as some species have bad-smelling flowers    

There are six or more small black nuts inside a pod. The pods hang in a bunch of three or five on a single branch. The pods start green and then turn orange and finally bright red when they are ready to be eaten. There are actually two outer skins which protect the nut inside. The first is so thin most people don’t even notice it. But if you peel it you will find a white oily substance which is very, very slippery, which makes it hard to peel off the skin to get at the nut.

Yolŋu people usually eat the whole nut, skin and all, so the first outer skin clings to the teeth or gums. You can rub the nuts together to take off the first outer skin and then the oil between the membranes helps to peel the second outer skin. The actual nut is the same colour as a peanut. It is really satisfyingly sweet and nutty. All children love this nut. If you scrape the branch to get to the white fibre inside which you then scrape into a dish and add 3 or 4 spoons of hot water and wait for the water to become cloudy this will be a good eye drop for tired or irritated eyes.

Dhuwalny ŋatha ŋamakurr ŋanapurruŋ yolŋuw. Ŋunhi ŋathany djinawa gurrŋanmirr dhungalyu burtjuwurtjurr yurr ŋathiny gurrŋan ŋanak lapmaraŋ bala dharirryun bulu ŋanak ŋanya ḻapmaraŋ.

Dhuwalnhaŋathany bilin nhe maḻmaraŋalanha ma’ lukin. Gäyuny ŋayi Baḻkpaḻktja dhuwal ḏilthan nhe yurru mel yolŋuny. Wirinydjurr ŋanya gäyu baṉdja ga yana bili maḻthun ŋayi yurru watharr ŋanak ga bulu wiriny’tjurr ŋaraka ŋanya gäyuny dhaŋaŋguŋ.

Dhuwalny malanya gapu gorrmur’lilnha ḻupmaraŋ mak one ga two spoonful cuplil. Märr gurriri galkurr ga gonha ŋayi gapu yurru maŋutji-boḻuŋgayirr bala marraŋ ŋunhi wirinydjunawuy dhungalyu bala melilnha djul’yunmaraŋ märr ŋayi yurr yolŋu ŋunhi mel djetji’mirr ḏawalayirr