Mardayin and Wongkurr (Sacred objects and dilly bags)
Mardayin and Wongkurr (Sacred objects and dilly bags)
Artwork by Balang Nakurulk

This artwork is associated with Kakodbebuldi

Hear the pronunciation of mardayin, spoken by Ananais Jawulba
Year
1994
Medium
earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta)
Dimensions
237 x 112cm
Credit
Purchased 1994. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation. Queensland Art Gallery
Copyright
© Balang Nakurulk/Copyright Agency, 2025

The title in Kuninjku is ‘Wongkorr kure kundjurle’ (The ceremonial dilly bag hanging in the ritual shade house). These sacred dilly bags into which we place objects are a kind of basket we carry on our shoulders. After the Mardayin ceremony they are hung from the branches of the ceremonial shade house. This is the outside manifestation, the secular things, but inside there is cross-hatching with meaning that is hidden and secret.

Wongkorr kure kundjurle ngangeykurrme. Wongkorr, yibengkan ngarridahkendong. Kunmadj yibengkan wongkorr kabernelmang en kume kayo kundjurle bad kabbal makka manbu njamed ngarribekkan bad kanjdji nani rarrk nadjamun yo.