Maningrida Arts and Culture
Nola Garrba — 'Burlupurr - large dillybag' 143-26, Maningrida Arts and Culture
Burlupurr, or dilly bag, is a large woven collecting basket. These large bags are often made from the vine 'Malasia scandens', a strong pliable plant which grows along the floor and into the canopy of monsoon vine thickets. The bags are used to collect any kind of large numbers of heavy foods such as fish caught in conical fish traps or large collections of yams.
They can also be made from Pandanus spiralis, a plant which grows in many areas of Arnhem Land. These dilly bags are a tightly woven collecting basket, very finely made. These dilly bags are often used to collect sugarbag, the native honey
As well as being of practical use, dilly bags are also of religious significance to Arnhem Land people. Dilly bags are said to be totemic objects and associated with particular sites in the landscape.
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Nola Garba
Skin Name: Bilinydjan / Language: Burarra / Moiety:Jowunga
Nola Garrba is an experienced and accomplished fibre artist, working predominantly with locally harvested materials such as pandanus (Pandanus spiralis ) and natural dyes. Her impressive weaving skills have been acquired through a lifetime of watching and learning from her mother, grandmothers and the women around her, and many years spent practicing and honing her skills.
Based at the outstation of Jimardi, near the serene, shell-lined coastline east of Maningrida and the Blythe River, Nola has become known for creating intricate, tightly woven artworks. In particular, she is adept at making Mun-dirra, a fish net fence
traditionally used in conjunction with An-gujechiya (fish trap), and is amongst a new generation of fibre artist re-imagining age-old techniques through experimentation with colour, form and material.
Having just recently engaged with Maningrida Arts & Culture in 2024, Nola will be participating in her first group show in June
2025
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Maningrida Arts and Culture x Craft
July 2 – August 29 2026
'Manngarre/Mannga brings together fifteen dynamic artists in a landmark collaboration between the Maningrida Arts and Culture and Craft Victoria. This exhibition celebrates fibre works that are more than objects; they carry cultural knowledge, storytelling, and innovation. Each piece reflects generations of practice, individual creativity, and the natural materials of bush and jungle Country, deeply tied to the weaver’s clan estate.
Maningrida Arts & Culture is one of Australia's oldest Aboriginal community-controlled art and culture centres, dating back to 1963. Located in central west Arnhem Land, it supports artists from 12 language groups, 32 homelands and 110 clans.
Manngarre, meaning jungle in Kuninjku language, and Mannga its equivalent in Burarra/Gun-nartpa respectively, is an exhibition of intricately woven works by women fibre artists of the Maningrida region.
Maureen Ali / Freda Ali / Cecille Baker / Louwa Bardaluna / Bonnie Burarngarra / Dorothy Bunibuni / Nola Garrba / Lorna Jin-gubarrangunyja (Dec) / Jocelyn Koyole / Samantha Malkudja / Sylvia Marrgawaidj / Annalese Morris / Basma Nulla / Jennifer Prudence / Philomena Wilson
Read more about the exhibition here:
Material: Pandanus (Pandanus Spiralis) with natural dyes
Dimensions: 19 x 11 x 11cm
Cat. no: 143-26
Please note when purchasing, exhibition works are to be collected when exhibition closes.
Shipping costs may be estimates. Please feel free to contact shop@craft.org.au who will be available to provide an Art Courier quote or shipping costs for larger items.