Sunday, March 04, 2007

Yawk Yawk

YAWK YAWK ( Kubarrku Family )

Yawk Yawk are female water spirits that closely resemble the European idea of mermaids. Half spirit, half fish, they entice unwary fishermen beneath the water of the lagoons that are their domain throughout Arnhem Land. They may have long hair like reeds of trailing water weed and can take on the features of fish or body of a snake. When fully grown Yawk Yawk spirits can leave their water hole to forage for food by changing their fishtails into legs to walk on dry land or assume the shape of a dragonfly to fly.Yawk Yawk figures are also closely associated with Ngaloyd, the Rainbow Serpent and can be associated with sorcery.
Here is a photo of Marena and the Yawk Yawk she made for us. I love it, can see it hanging on the wall of the living room. Marena is from Maningrida, a station far out in Arnhem Land and they do the most amazing art there. You can visit their website at:

http://www.maningrida.com

The babies are her grandchildren.



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