Mandjabu (Fish traps) shops Design by Injalak Women Artists on Linen Cotton

Hand screen-printed Linen Cotton (55% linen shops 45% cotton 148-150 cm wide)
This fabric is a high quality 115 gsm fabric ideal for skirts, dresses and jackets.

The base cloth color is lilac and it has been printed with mulberry purple ink. A classic tonal combination.

FREE SHIPPING IN AUSTRALIA

Fabric designed and hand-printed by our members in our workshop in Gunbalanya in West Arnhem Land, NT.

The designers:
This collaborative design was created by four Kunwinkjku dalukdaluk (women) artists, Priscilla Badari, Lynne Nadjowh, Sylvia Badari and Katra Nganjmirra.

The design: Mandjabu (Fish traps) 2017

Mandjabu (Fish traps) were traditionally used throughout Western Arnhem Land to catch djenj (Fish). The large woven nets, made from strong vines, were anchored in the river bed and used to trap fish with the changing tides.

These traps were very large and could stretch metres in length. Traditionally men would weave these nets due to the size and heavy duty nature of the structure. It was not uncommon for two to three men to spend close to a month weaving large fish traps.

The design features artistic interpretations of the different stitches used to weave these large traps. Although these traps are no longer regularly used for fishing, women still practice making them to continue the old traditions and maintain ancient weaving techniques. Examples can be found in museums often recreated from pandanus and sand palm.