Aboriginal traditional craft of Kakadu/ West Arnhemland

Hi there!
Anja here, Steve's Beloved.

While my two men went on their road trip in January, I happily stayed behind to enjoy the peace and quiet...

...and the time with my dear friend Patsy.
She is a traditional Aboriginal lady, earning her living during the dry season as tour guide with Sean and Rachael from Kakadu Animal Tracks. Obviously, during the season we're all very busy and don't often get the time to catch up.

I feel extremely privileged that Patsy has taken the time over the last two months to teach me some crafts and techniques, like making a "dilly bag" the traditional way, made with string from the inner bark of the Red-flowered Kurrajong (Brachyton paradoxum).

After peeling the bark off the trees and pounding it until soft with the back of her trusted axe, the inner bark can be separated from the rougher outer.

Several different agents can be used to dye the fibres, for example the berries of little herb called bloodroot for a magenta/purple colour. The bulbs of the same plant produce a brown dye.

Steve has helped me documenting the process of making my very first string bag. Maybe you're interested in the pics...

This is going to become a bag...


...separating the Kurrajong fibres...



...string...



...going loopy...


...voila!

In comparison, here is a bag Patsy finished a few weeks ago:


In the meantime, Patsy has been working on a "feather bag", made with the same material and additionally feathers worked into the string.



This type of bag is used during ceremonies.



A relative of hers is currently working on another ceremonial bag. It is made from Pandanus spiralis.