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Dilly bag Uncle Bennett

A weaving circle Guppy catchers made from guava tree,
native bees wax and Kakan

Are you happy for people to use your baskets? bags. These were all things I was too little to learn, and my Nana didn’t let me
Yes, it makes me very happy to see people use my baskets for many different use a pocketknife being so young. When she passed away, I had to teach myself
things. I loved making dilly bags for a dilly bag dance that was performed for through memories of watching her. A lot of trial and error and emotions along
the Cooktown festival. the dilly bag making journey.
Are there any particular uses that you’ve found interesting? My cousin showed me a guppy catcher made by my Nana. I made one similar
I made a fire stick holder/carrier for a local man in Mossman who did a lot of going on what it looked like.
bushwalking. The shape was long and skinny. I had a lot of fun creating that
piece knowing it wasn’t just for display.
Can you share a word in your language that you think is particularly This feature was first published in Garland magazine, a platform for thoughtful
meaningful? writing about beautiful objects made today across the wider world. It is through
Ngamu, it means mother. By becoming a mum to my beautiful children, this these objects that cultures are made, by hand, every day. garlandmag.com
word is very special to me. I’m lucky that with my weaving I can bring my
children with me to work. No one blinks an eye. You will find at most of our
cultural tours or lessons our children are with us. That is how we have always About Delissa Walker
been as indigenous people working and teaching with our children by our side.
Delissa is Kuku Yalanji Master Weaver. She currently lives in Cairns with her
Have you ever had to work out for yourself how a traditional object was family, in Far North Queensland. She grew up in the Daintree rainforest with
made? What’s an example of that? her mother and in Mosman with her grandmother, who a famous weaver
Many, many times! When I started making dilly bags in my early 20’s I had to herself taught Delissa how to make dilly bags from a very young age.
teach myself what kakan (black palm tree) is old enough to use, what lawyer
cane to use for the handles and how to calve it carefully so it doesn’t snap. I Follow the journey of this talented artist and cultural practitioner
had to learn how to collect and melt beeswax on the fire that I use on the dilly @delissawalkerartist
32 Port Douglas Travel Planner PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 33