AUSTRALIA BARK PAINTING Aboriginal Fish Bubba Peibi Tale Reproduction Artwork

Description

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A vintage piece of artwork / painting / display
From
the
tradition of Bubba Peibi (see below for some historical context)
This is a very old piece, reproduction artwork from aboriginal bark painting from Arnhem Land, Australia
Not marked by the artist or time
period
TRADITION OF BUBBA PEIBI
BUBBA PEIBI is a very short, stout individual, only about two feet six inches high. He has long spears and a large
meilla
, or basket. He walks about in the water holes at night time, catching fish. In shallow water he takes them out with his hands and puts them in his
meilla
. As he wanders about he talks to himself, saying,
Bi, Brr; Bi, Brr
, with a long roll on the
r
. In deep water he uses his spears. If he sees a Kimberikara, or Barramunda fish, he spears it in the neck, which he then bites and puts it in his large bag, or
meilla
. This he is supposed to drag behind him through the water. Then, perhaps, he spears a catfish and treats it in the same way; then a Kunaitja, or mullet, the neck of which he breaks with his hands. When he has caught enough fish he ties the mouths of his bags up, and, carrying them on his head, goes back to his own place, saying,
Bi, Brr, Brr
.
He lives inside a big Banyan tree, by the side of a paper bark creek. The hole in this tree, through which he passes, is only a small one, but he can enlarge it by breathing through it, and, when once he has passed, either in or out, it closes up. At the top of the trunk there is a hole through which air comes in. He makes a fire inside the trunk and cooks his fish there. Within the tree, also, he has a wife and children. The ordinary black-fellow cannot see him, but the Margi, or medicine men, can, and they also talk to him. Sometimes a medicine man happens to be close by when he comes back to the Banyan tree after one of his fishing excursions. Bubba Peibi says,
Koyada ngainma bo
, don't hit me. The medicine man says,
Koyada kumeri
, don't be frightened;
ngai unkoregora; ngoro araji
, I watch; you go inside.
Sometimes, when Bubba Peibi is out fishing and a medicine man hears him and is afraid that he will catch all the fish and leave none for the black-fellow, he plays a trick on him. He can go so quietly to the water hole that Bubba Peibi does not know he is there. In the water he hangs on to the large bag, or Meilla, that Bubba Peibi drags behind him, and the little man tugs and tugs, but cannot move it. Accordingly, he goes back to find out what is the matter, and, while he is feeling about to see if the bag has been caught by something, the Margi takes hold of his hand. Bubba Peibi is very alarmed, but the Margi says, don't be frightened, but go to another water hole and do not catch all the fish here. Bubba Peibi then ties up his bag, takes his spears and goes away. The ordinary natives can hear him talking to himself as he walks through the water, but only the Margi can see him.
See photos for details, conditions, and measurements
Let me know if you have any questions before bidding
Item weighs approximately 14
ounces
Thank you!