Maningrida Arts and Culture
Freda Ali — 'An-gujechiya (Fish Trap)' 68-26, Maningrida Arts and Culture
To make fish traps and fish net fences artists firstly get vine (mirlarl) from the jungle and they put it in water for one night to make it soft. Next they start weaving it; they make rings for the inside to keep the fish trap’s shape. Artists work for three or four weeks on the fish trap. They also make string from kurrajong (burdaga) to attach the hibiscus (bardainy) rings and to tie the conical end of the fish trap. This fish trap is used in saltwater and freshwater. People also use fish net fences called mun-dirra.
A long time ago they would put the mun-dirra across rivers and creeks. In the middle they would place the an-gujechiya. They also used small things like sticks, rocks, mud and grass to block the fish from going through. People would then catch fish like saltwater barramundi rajarra, freshwater barramundi (janambal), small black freshwater catfish (buliya), bonefish (anguwirrpiya), and sand bass (dalakan) in these fish traps.
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Freda Ali
Skin Name: Gotjan / Language: Burarra / Countru:Yilan
Freda is the eldest daughter of senior artist and weaver Lorna Jin-gubarrangunyja and sister to Bonnie Burarngrara and Freda Ali (Wayartja). Freda spend her time between living in Maningrida and at Ji-balbal outstation, her husbands country.
Taught by her sisters and mother to weaver Freda only became weaving artworks to sell in 2021. Her artworks are bright and colourful using pandanus that has been vividly dye using natural botanicals.
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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: Jungle Vine (Malaisia Scandens) and Kurrajong (Brachychiton Diversifolius)
Dimensions: 167 x 22 x 22cm
Cat. no: 68-26
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.