Namarali at Rest, by Donny Woolagoodja

Artwork

Namarali, the great wandjina

Namarali is one of the greatest and most powerful Wandjinas of the Worrorra people, characterised by a halo of several lines and a shell pendant on his chest. The feared Wandjina, who enforces the law and culture of the Worrorra people, once caused a big flood that drowned all but two people, because they had broken the Law. He has left his image in various caves along the northern Kimberley coast, for which Donny Woolagoodja and his father Sam, are responsible. Donny also paints this Wandjina and was awarded the overall Kimberley Art Prize in 2004.

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Shire of Derby / West Kimberley Library - local studies collection

Muddy Waters

Named after the Earl of Derby, the town has a rich colonial history as the first regional and administrative centre, supporting the sheep and cattle stations of the west Kimberley. Keeper of this...

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Clarendon Street
Derby WA 6728
Australia

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Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri 9.30am - 12pm; Thurs 1 - 5pm; Sat 10am – 12pm

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Shire of Derby, West Kimberley Library Overview

Nyikina language materials

Nyikina—a language of the river country

Nyikina is one of the main languages of the West Kimberley region, particularly around the lower end of the mighty Fitzroy River. It is spoken by more people than Warrwa, which is the language group...

Cow-horn sharks by unknown artist

Two in one

A favourite pastime of many locals was to carve whatever enduring materials were at hand—turtle shell and catfish bones for the saltwater people, and cow horns and boab nuts for those from the station...