Shell Necklace “Girriŋgirriŋ” by Birrpurju Yunubirju

Description

This handcrafted necklace, known as Girriŋgirriŋ in Yolŋu culture, is made by Birrpurju Yunipirju from hundreds of tiny seeds, threaded together to form a 150cm long piece. Girriŋgirriŋ refers to jewellery or ornaments made from locally collected seeds or shells.

The beads used in Girriŋgirriŋ are often seeds from plants like Gum Tree, Rattlepod, Red Bead Tree, and Sicklepod, as well as fish vertebrae from Parrotfish, Kingfish, small sharks, stingrays, and seashells. These natural materials are collected from the land and sea around Yirrkala, NT. Some beads are painted with white clay or natural earth pigments for added detail.

Small seeds are pierced with a needle, while larger ones are pierced using wire heated in a fire. Seashells are gathered at low tide, cleaned, boiled, and pierced by hand.

• Handmade in Australia at Buku-Larrngay Mulka Aboriginal Art Centre
• 150cm long