Cirrus@Austlit

'Nancy Bandeiyama Birrabirrapa was not a member of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies—but she certainly should have been. She was born into the Anbarra Aboriginal community, belonging specifically to the Gidjingarli (Gidjingali) land-owning unit whose land centres around the beautiful coastal site of Madang-adjira on the eastern side of An-gatja Wana (Big River, ie Blyth River), in northern Arnhem Land. This site is distinguished by a cluster of large, shady fig trees and a deep, cool, freshwater well. An active member of the Jowunga moiety, she spoke Gidjingarli, or Burarra, as her first language. She died in Darwin on 1 February1995, when she had gone to visit her eldest daughter, Nancy Djinbor, who was in hospital recovering from a major operation. At the time of her death, Nancy had been living at the Djibena outstation for several years, with her husband, Frank Gurrmanamana, her immediate family and close relatives. I have been told that right up until her death, she had continued to forage for food with enthusiasm almost every day. Djibena is situated on the edge of a large freshwater swamp called Balbildja, renowned for its fish, geese, long-necked turtles and edible plants. The surrounding open eucalypt forest contains an abundance of wallabies, goannas, yams and fruit trees.' (Introduction)