Arnhem Weavers Workshop Information

These workshops are offered to women interested to learn and share with Mäpuru's Yolŋu women where the focus is textiles. The knowledge and skills the participants will be shown by the workshop leaders has been passed down for thousands of years, “it is, as it always has been”. Participants will learn how to collect barks, pandanus and other plants. They will then be shown how to collect and prepare the fibres for dyeing before weaving or spinning.

It is assumed that workshop participants are motivated to engage with, and learn about Yolŋu society and therefore will be keen to learn the traditional skills offered by these women. English is not the first language for these women, but as skilled linguists, speak as many as twenty Yolŋu languages.

In addition there will be opportunities for those interested participants to take part in hunting expeditions, including collecting mud crabs, a variety of shellfish, fish and other game and vegetable staples that Mäpuru residents regularly hunt and collect.

Workshop leaders: A group of women who have lived on their ancestral homelands for most of their daily lives spinning and weaving articles that they need for themselves, their relatives, for ceremonies and for sale. These women, their daughters, grand-daughters and great grand-daughters have remarkable skill, this is shown by the extent to which they have traveled throughout Australia teaching their skills through workshops at galleries (including the National gallery) and museums.

These women are expert at utilising a variety of seasonally available materials for their weaving. They use pandanus leaves, roots, and bark for spinning and weaving, as well as a wide selection of roots, leaves and fruits to dye the fibres.

These women see this extremely successful project as creating meaningful employment as well as financial independence for themselves and their families. They are striving to create a welfare-free future for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They can only provide this education and future on their ancestral estates or homelands.

Location: The workshops are held at Mäpuru. Mäpuru is a homeland situated on the mainland 10 minutes flight south of Elcho Island, in north east Arnhem Land. The residents are all Yolŋu and connected ancestrally to the area. Mäpuru has a permanent population of about 100.

Accommodation: No sleeping accommmodation is provided at Mäpuru. It is recommended participants bring their own mosquito domes or small tents.

Phones: There is one public phone at Mapuru that has a ring up number, ie people can ring directly through to the pay phone number. Mapuru does not have coverage to make mobile telephone calls.

Ablutions: There is an Arnhem Weavers ablution block with flushing toilet, hot solar shower, sinks to wash clothes and utensils. Mäpuru water is good quality, it tastes sweet and fresh coming from bores reaching into sandstone.

Climate: Mäpuru is in the tropics, where the day time temperature is around 30˚C, and a night time temperature of about 24˚C. Rain doesn’t usually fall between May and November but night time temperatures can fall to 18˚ in June.

What to take: food (be prepared to cook over a fire), eating utensils, mosquito net or dome (although there are very few mosquitos, camera, note book, .., .., ..,

Food: Food is not provided. There is a small commmunity run co-op with dry foods and a limited number of fruit and vegies.
It is suggested that participants bring non-perishable food such as muesli, noodles, canned fish, vegetables and fruit such as carrots, sweet potato, oranges, etc.

Travel: Drive to Mapuru: It is recommended that participants travel by 4WD to Mäpuru because it is the cheapest transport method and enables participants to take part in excursions from Mäpuru for hunting and gathering, as well as traveling through some beautiful country on the way.

Travel to Mäpuru is usually undertaken by 4WD vehicle. Mäpuru is about 900km from Darwin, taking a minimum of 12 hours driving time from Darwin.

Travel: Fly to Mäpuru: It is possible to fly to Mäpuru, by charter plane from Darwin the cost is approximately $3,500 one-way for four to five people. By Regular passenger Transport to Elcho Island then charter to Mäpuru the cost is approximately $1,200 per person one way. Travel to Mäpuru by plane is not recommended, as participants will have limited access to a vehicle trips at Mäpuru. However flying in to Mäpuru may be an option for individuals who have limited time.

Insurance: The women at Mäpuru are eager that their workshops continue to grow, providing meaningful engagement with Balanda (non-Indigenous people) and income for their families. In an effort to reduce complications and keep the project under local control, the women have no insurance. They do not see that is necessary as they undertake to only;
• provide workshop tuition
• act as guides when procuring materials, including leaves, bark, roots, etc.

Participation in all activities is encouraged, but if participants decide to involve themselves in field activities such as pulling down pandanus leaves, digging dyes or yams they do so at their own risk.

Permits: Before any travel is undertaken through Arnhem Land all participants must have a permit. Groups and individuals are responsible for organising their own permits through the Northern Land Council.

Intellectual Property: Participants are authorised to make records of workshop activities solely for their own personal use. No publication is authorised unless written permission is granted by the Arnhem Weavers. Participants may be asked to sign an agreement to this affect. The Arnhem Weavers are appreciative when groups pool photos to produce a record of each workshop as hard copies books. These books can be a record for all participants, the Arnhem Weavers and Mapuru Yirralka College. The College is willing to contribute to the costs.

Workshop Costs: The cost is $200 per day, per person to attend workshops.

Workshop numbers: A minimum number of 8 participants are necessary for the workshops to be offered.

Securing a place in a workshop: In order to join a workshop it is recommended prospective participants contact the two organisations collaborating with the Arnhem Weavers:
CERES Global and/or Nature Philosophy.

Post Script: If participants are interested in learning about the languages and cultures of east Arnhem Land it is suggested you contact: yolngustudies

Last updated July 2025