Item X 90172 Mendung darrtarrai yun-amirri | Rattle. Kunwinjku. Mumeka, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. 1988

Summary

This rattle is made of mendung, the Yolngu term for land or ground snails. It can be hand held and used as a rattle during dancing in ceremonies, and the same form is also used to tie around a dog's neck during hunting at night so that it can be located.

Local Name

Mendung darrtarrai yun-amirri

Physical Description

A single strand of vegetable fibre string threaded with the shells of land snails painted with natural pigments.