Item DT 1427 bathi mindirr | Basket. Mildjingi. Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. pre 1936

Summary

This basket contains animal bones, probably from kangaroos, and a set of firesticks that are wrapped in paperbark and wound with string. Similar baskets from elsewhere in Arnhem Land that contain kangaroo the bones have been said to be those from a young man's first successful kangaroo hunt, and are kept together and cared for by a close relative until the boy reaches a particular age when a specific ceremonial ritual is performed.

Local Name

bathi mindirr

Physical Description

A small conical basket containing animal bones and a wooden stick, possibly a firestick wrapped in paperbark. The bundle is wound tightly with vegetable fibre string. The outer surface of the basket is painted with vertical stripes.