Darwin City in Darwin Municipality, Northern Territory, Australia — Oceania

Mandjabu Fish Trap

Photographed by Kevin W., September 11, 2024

1. Mandjabu Fish Trap Marker

Inscription. Kuninku artists James Iyuna and his wife Melba Gunjarrwanga have created for the Darwin Entertainment Centre a unique ceiling structure reminiscent in style and technique of a giant fish net fence. James Iyuna is the son of Anchor Kalunba who was a renowned fish trap maker in the Mumeka region, south of the Maningrida community. Traditionally, fish traps were made by men and Iyuna as a young boy used to help his father to gather materials and make fish traps. Once the trap was made, it was used in the river with fish net fences to channel fish into the trap. After Kalunba passed away, people stopped making fish traps at Mumeka. Iyuna however often interprets Mandjabu – fish trap – through painting and has taught his wife Melba Gunjarrwanga to paint this subject as well. It is an important subject matter for Kuninjku people as it is associated with important stories and places.

At the Darwin Entertainment Centre, Iyuna and Gunjarrwanga decided to create an installation that would celebrate the importance of traditional fishing techniques, of weaving in Kuninjku society and of the story of the fish trap itself. Working

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with flexible copper wire enabled Iyuna and Gunjarrwanga to start exploring new ways to weave through the metal panels resembling the traditional fish fence structures. For example, Iyuna and Gunjarrwanga started to recreate rarrk –crosshatching – effects through the panels to catch the light and create shimmering effects, Iyuna and Gurjarwanga have put an emphasis in varying the woven patterns and using different colours of copper wires to create other visual effects.

This installation is a tribute to Iyuna's father and to traditional knowledge. It is also a celebration of the beauty of fibre art and contemporary Kuninjku artistic expression.

The Fish Trap installation has been funded in partnership by Darwin City Council and the Northern Territory Government. Completion of this piece has been the result of the support and collaboration of Greg McNamara, Lena Yali, Joanna Best. Apolline Kohen, Claire Summers, Paul Hill, James Iyuna, Melba Gunjarrwanga and family. Copper pipe frames have fabricated by Paul Hill.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features.

Location. 12° 27.629′ S,

Photographed by Kevin W., September 11, 2024

2. Mandjabu Fish Trap Marker

130° 50.201′ E. Marker is in Darwin City, Northern Territory, in Darwin Municipality. It is at the intersection of Mitchell Street and McLachlan Street, on the right when traveling south on Mitchell Street. On one of the pillars outside the Darwin Entertainment Centre. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 93 Mitchell St, Darwin City NT 0820, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

in Australasia,

in the Pacific Ocean,

in South Pacific,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Leichhardt (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Friendship through Gardens (about 240 meters away); 2nd Lt. Robert J. Buel, USAAF (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); A Story of Sacrifice (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); USS Peary DD 226 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Ocean Views Hide History (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); mirragma gunugurr-wa (approx. 0.3 kilometers away).

Photographed by Kevin W., September 11, 2024

3. Mandjabu Fish Trap Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 162 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 25, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.