Yinarr Maramali: Tamworth Gomeroi women weave back to cultural practice

It's an ancient practice that took a breath for some years, but through the strength of determined women has not only become 'normal', but expected.

"Seeing multiple generations in the one family that can all weave is very powerful," Gomeroi weaver Amy Hammond said.

"Weaving is a strong identity tool and it brings our families together, women, children."

There are eight core weavers at Yinarr Maramali, a cultural centre and art space in Tamworth.

One look at the work and the women can identify who weaved it and beyond that how they felt.

Colourful dilly bags and woven bowls line the walls, Lorrelle Munro is the weaver responsible.

"In our culture we say the weaver's hands work energy into the work," she said.

"You aren't just giving a dilly bag, you're giving something of yourself."

Gomeroi women traditionally use lomandra grass, it's hardy and quite common to Tamworth.

With a state government grant the women will take their cultural practice to smaller communities in the north west, to Quirindi, Walhallow and Moree.

Warrabah means short-necked turtle in Gomeroi, and the end product of the project is a huge cross-community woven turtle that pays respect to the land where it all began.

Read also:

Preparing the grasses can take weeks and Ms Hammond said it's one of the more important parts of the process.

"We don't really have a word for sustainability because all of our practices and everything we did, our ancestors, were sustainable," she said.

"It's not just there for us to take, it's respect. We teach respect."

The Yinarr Maramali Warrabah end project will be on display at ArtState Tamworth in the gallery from October 31 to November 3.

Want more local news? Subscribe to The Leader to read it here first