Dhukumul Wanambi
Ḏawurr retjaŋu
Paper SIze:67.2 x 50.5cm; Image Size: 50.6 x 32.9cm; Paper: Hahnemuhle

ID: 4835-24

As told by the artist:

The ḏawurr (honey bees) comes out of its home because the honey is ready. My daughter always sings the Yolŋu matha honey song which goes like this: “Guku, guku marrkapmi, nhäŋanya narra, retjaŋu”.

Loose translation: “Honey, honey so delicious, my amazing tree”.

Dhukumul’s surname Waṉambi is drawn from the name of the giant Gaḏayka or Stringybark tree (Eucalyptus tetradonta) tree cut down by ancestral figure Wuyal in his search for sugarbag (native honey). The falling tree gouged into the landscape and created a river of honey. The Gurka’wuy River was made in this way. The monumental tree cut down on the escarpment known as Yanawal flowed honey into the waters of Trial Bay.

The bees Ḏawurr which create this honey from the blossom of the dominant stringybark forest are shown buzzing through the leaves of the Gaḏayka (Eucalyptus tetradonta). 

Bees are the creators of the honey from the blossoms of these trees.  The continuum between the environment, the art and the sacred foundation of the Marrakulu is completed when the Marrakulu dance as bees in their ceremony elbows extended, hands clutching stringybark leaves which vibrate as wings.