Proudly Yolngu; Bula’Bula Arts, is situated in Ramingining within Gurrwiliny (Arafura wetlands) and is part of Northeast Arnhem Land, 400 kilometres east of Darwin. Our mission is to foster Yolngu culture. Bula’bula represents strong, professional artists producing high quality artworks telling stories of cultural lore learned through song and dance. This storytelling is reinterpreted into paintings and objects, which have traditional ritual and ceremonial significance. We support over 150 artist members from Ramingining and 11 surrounding Homeland Outstations Yathalamarra, Wulkabimirri, Ŋangalala, Mulgurram, Garanydjirr, Galadjapin, Gattji, Gelirri, Maŋbirri, Bundatharri and Gupulul.

We play a vital economic role in Ramingining by offering culturally appropriate income streams. This economic aspect is crucial not only to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait art and craft industry, but also to the health of the communities generally. One aspect of our organisation is to generate income from artwork sales.  Artists receive 60% of the retail sale price with the remainder used for all operational costs. We are proud members of the Indigenous Art Code.

Our locally elected Directors meet bi-monthly to work with the Executive Director to ensure the preservation and fostering of Yolngu culture, its role within the community, as well as maintaining a strong artistic profile.

Current Directors- Andrew Wanamilil (Chairperson), JB Fisher, Joy Borruwa, Daphne Banyawarra, Joy Burruna, Peter Gambung, Johnny Malibirr, Evonne Munuyngu, Cecilie Djalarrnami and Janice Djupuduwuy.

Bula’bula Arts is a registered Indigenous Corporation (ICN 1059) and is overseen by ORIC (Office of Registration of Indigenous Corporations) and follows the CATSI ACT (Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006).

Click here for a virtual tour of the art centre.

Local artists coined the name Bula’Bula meaning the voice/tongue of Gandayala/Garrtjambal (red kangaroo) Ramingining’s Creator Being. The name represents the message in the song cycle of the red kangaroo’s journey. Gandayala/Garrtjambal travelled from Roper River in the south through what is now known as Arnhem Land, stopping off along the way on his peripatetic journey. Gandayala/Garrtjambal is also an eponymous Creator Being, naming a number of places/sites along his journey. When he came to the place now known as Ramingining, he ate a particular yam, which caused him to he ate a particular yam, which caused him to change his language to Djardewitjibi, the language of this area. He also named many other places along the way, before travelling off to Milingimbi.There are a number of sites (sacred sites) around the community of Ramingining, that are named are different parts of his body. 

The Aboriginal Memorial, conceived by Djon Mundine OAM for the Bicentenary of Australia, is an installation of 200 hollow log coffins, a celebration of 200 years of European settlement. Many Indigenous Australians felt that there was little to celebrate. It commemorates all the Indigenous people who, since 1788, have lost their lives defending their land. The artists who created this installation intended that it be located in a public place where it could be preserved for future generations. It now finds its home at the National Gallery of Australia.

The story is depicted in unique Ramingining-style, steeped in spiritual, ritual and historical narratives across a variety of mediums: print, painting, sculpture, fibre art, song, dance, as well as film and literature mediums.

The now extinct Australian one-dollar note featured David Malangi Daymirringu’s bark painting, Mortuary feast of Gurrmirringu. This marked the first Aboriginal copyright dispute, as the Reserve Bank did not seek permission to reproduce Malangi’s artwork.

The story is depicted in unique Ramingining-style, steeped in spiritual, ritual and historical narratives across a variety of mediums: print, painting, sculpture, fibre art, song, dance, as well as film and literature mediums.

Set in the wetlands of East Arnhem Land, Ten Canoes is a landmark Australian film created with the people of Ramingining. Released in 2006 and directed by Peter Djigirr and Rolf de Heer, it was the first Australian feature film made entirely in Aboriginal languages, with Yolŋu Matha and Ganalbingu spoken throughout the film. The story follows a group of men travelling through the Arafura Swamp to collect goose eggs, while an Elder shares an ancient story about love, jealousy, kinship and the consequences of breaking cultural law.

The film is deeply connected to Ramingining, with many local Yolŋu people involved both in front of and behind the camera. Acclaimed Yolŋu actor and storyteller David Gulpilil, who was also from the Ramingining region, provided the film’s memorable narration and helped bring Yolŋu stories and culture to audiences around the world. Ten Canoes remains an important celebration of Yolŋu language, knowledge and storytelling, and is recognised internationally as a groundbreaking achievement in Indigenous cinema.

Please visit twelve canoes to learn more about Ramingining, the people and the culture. 

https://www.12canoes.com.au/