Serena Bag – Warlu – Birdie Paradise

H: 25 cm (10 inch)
W: 19 cm (7.5 inch)
Fabric: Cotton canvas. Lining and matching fabric is cotton.
Color: As shown, reverse of bag is black. Lining is a bright blue (see photo)

Features:

• Fully lined
• Two external pockets (full depth of the bag) with zippers
• Adjustable strap
• Can be worn cross-body or on the shoulder
• Fittings are brass and durable.
• Slim enough to be worn inside a coat/clothing
• Limited Edition (small batches)
• Gentle hand-wash

Please note that each bag is unique and the placement of the fabric design is different and wonderful on each item.

Fabric Design: Birdie Paradise

The original painting that the fabric design is based upon depicts one of many ‘jurlpu’ (bird) species that live around Yuendumu. The bush around Yuendumu provides many different habitats for birds to live in. Many bird species live around waterholes and rivers, like the ‘pirniny-pirninypa’ (black fronted dotierel [Elseyornis melanops]) and Ngatijirri (budgerigar Melopsitiacus undulates]). Others live in the spinifex country, like the ‘nuwiyingki’ or ‘panngarra’ (cockatiel [Nymphicus hollandicus]). Still others make nests in trees, like the ‘juwayikirdi’ (grey crowned babbler [Pomatostomus temporalis]). People hunt some of these species for meat. The most popular species to hunt today are the ‘yankirri’ (emu [Dromaius novaehollandiae]) and ‘wardilyka’ (bush turkey [Ardeotis australis]). People also used to hunt ‘yupurru’ (spinifex pigeon [Geophaps plumifera]) and ‘ngapilkiri’ (crested pigeon [Ocyphaps lophotes]), among others. A number of bird species tell people messages. Several species tell people when rain is coming, including the ‘jin’rr-jin’rrpa’(willy wagtail [Rhipidura leucophrys]) and ‘kalwa’ (crane). The cries of other birds, like the ‘kirrkalanji’ (brown falcon [Falco berigora]) and ‘ngamirliri’ (bush stone curlew [Burhinus grallarius]), can make children sick. The ‘paku-paku’ (crested bellbird [Oreoica gutiuralis]) and ‘kurlukuku’ (diamond dove [Geopelia cuneata]) are messengers of love songs. People also use messages from birds to help them hunt. The ‘juwayikirdi’ (grey crowned babbler [Pomatostomus temporalis]) and ‘piirn-piirnpa’ (yellow throated miner [Manorina flavigula]) cry when goannas are nearby. People know to run quickly when these birds cry, so that they can catch the goannas. In Warlpiri culture, ‘jurlpu’ (birds) are associated with a number of different ‘Jukurrpa’ (Dreaming) stories. Some are even associated with major ceremonies, including the Jardiwarnpa fire ceremony.

Art centre: Warlukurlangu Artists is a non-profit, fully Aboriginal owned arts corporation located in Yuendumu in remote Central Australia. Yuendumu is 300 km north-west of Alice Springs.

Flying Fox Fabrics makes these bags in partnership with social enterprises in Cambodia. The Serena bags are made by Kravan House. Kravan House trains, employs and supports disabled artisans and has been doing so since 2003 when founder Thanan Hok founded it.

Limited Edition: All our products are made in small batches as all the fabrics are handprinted in very limited quantities, sometimes no more than 2 metres.