Dhambit Mununggurr

2019, acrylic on bark
181 x 91 cm
Cat No 2259-19

Dhambit Mununggurr
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre

The bäru (crocodile) the carrier of the gurtha fire) is very special and powerful story belonging to the Gumatj people. These are the Yunupingu, Burarrwanga and Mununggirritj clan groups of the North East Arnhem Land region.

In ancestral times, the leaders of Yirritja moiety clans used fire for the first time during a ceremony at Ngalarrwuy in Gumatj country. This came about as fire brought to the Madarrpa clan country by Bäru the ancestral crocodile, spread north and swept through the ceremonial ground. From this ceremonial ground the fire spread further to other sites. Various ancestral animals were affected and reacted in different ways. These animals became sacred totems of the Gumatj people and the areas associated with these events became important sites.

– BUKU-LARRNGGAY MULKA CENTRE