Munhala Dhamarrandji
Batjimurruŋu
71cm x 64cm

ID: 8738-22

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.