Munhala Dhamarrandji
Batjimurruŋu
50 x 49cm

ID: 3508-26

As told by the artist; The maypal (shellfish) stays on the gathul (mangrove) roots and sometimes in the mud under the roots. Two old ladies went out to collect this maypal for ŋatha (food). It makes them stronger.

This painting carries the miny’tji of Batjimurruŋu a shellfish of the mangroves area which climbs the aerial roots of the mangroves as the tide comes in. It is sung by the Djambarrpuyngu clan with the Guyula / Dhamarrandji surnames and relates to the Buckingham Bay area of Gurula Dhulmuwandany. It is a design learnt by the artist via her mother’s first husband and is her classificatory sister clan.

This place and design, songs and the shellfish itself are related to the songlines of the Djaŋ’kawu sisters of the Dhuwa moiety.

Batjimurruŋu is Cassidula angulifera or the Angular Ear Shell. The synonyms are miniminipi and mitjalaŋaniŋ.

Image size: 50 x 49cm
Paper size: 70.5 x 68cm
Paper: Hahnemuhle