An artwork showing a hunter amongst the stars of the Torres Strait Islands and a dugong swimming in the ocean below

Maluyligal, Wuthathi and Dayak by Brian Robinson, Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islands) 2011. Australian National Maritime Collection.

Hunting dhangal (hunting dugong)

This linocut by Brian Robinson titled 'Hunting dhangal' features a scene from the seasonal hunting of dugong. Shown is one of the traditional methods used in a dugong hunt, an exacting and dangerous task undertaken with care and diligence.

Here Robinson depicts the dugong swimming in shallow water at night under a sky full of stars while a fisherman standing on a tower known as naath, watches and aims with his spear.

Brian Robinson's linocut offers an opportunity to better understand the dugong - its impact on and position in indigenous communities and its current endangered position in the world's oceans.

  • Object number00025979
  • Date2011
  • CreditANMM Collection
  • DimensionsOverall: 805 x 260 mm Image: 580 x 530 mm
  • MediumInk on paper
  • ManufacturedCairns
  • Related placeTorres Strait Queensland