Eva Nganjmirra

The artist has painted a billabong scene with several edible fish found in the billabongs, water courses throughout Arnhem Land. Namarnkol or barramundi, the renowned game fish of the “Top End” of Australia. They grow to extraordinary sizes and are excellent eating. The namarnkol can be found in saltwater as well as freshwater billabongs and rivers. These fish have significance as food and as totems and are most easily caught after the end of the monsoon (March -April) until the humid build-up season (October). Namardakka or nail fish. Namardakka frequent the freshwater billabongs and flood plains of the Top End. They are a supplementary food source for the Aboriginal people. The other elements in the painting are Kurrkabul, or Longtom and Mandem and water lily.