Funkita Race Pace - The Barnamboo Collaboration

As part of the new Race Pace collection, Funkita and Funky Trunks have released an exclusive collaboration piece with Bardi artist Ashley Hunter to create the 'Barnamboo' print. But here's why you should treat yourself to this great new print...

Who Is Ashley Hunter?

Ashley Hunter grew up and still lives in the community of One Arm Point on the Dampier Peninsula, 2,500km north of Perth, Australia. After he finished school, Ashley started making jewellery for a local jeweller and painting as much as he could. He even won the Kimberley Art Prize in 2002, a prestigious art competition in Western Australia that is now in its 47th year.

Ashley's painting work depicts dreamtime stories to pass on the knowledge and legends of the Indigenous elders and was inspired by his grandmother. His passion lies in ensuring younger generations learn the stories of their people and pass on the history.

As he lives so remotely, Ashley often has to teach himself new techniques such as screen printing, pottery, air brushing and 3D sketches. But he hopes that his love and enthusiasm for painting and art will inspire the young children in the community to create their own and enjoy it as he does.  

Who Are Bardi?

Bardi are the Indigenous Australians of the area north of Broome and parts of the Dampier Peninsular in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

What Is The Barnamboo Print?

The Barnamboo (meaning 'sting ray' in Bardi) print depicts the story of Lool Lool and Marrgaliny. It captures the blue water of the Bardi land and the animals that their people have lived with and hunted for thousands of years.  

The Story of Lool Lool and Marrgaliny

Lool Lool lived by himself in Garramum where he went fishing in the ocean and hunting for food. One day he was sitting under his bali (shelter) and saw a man walking towards him over the hill. The man saw Lool Lool and walked over to him. He said his name was Marrgaliny and asked if he could build his bali nearby. Lool Lool agreed and after Marrgaliny had built his bali they soon became friends. They went hunting together and shared their food and told stories. Lool Lool hadn’t told Marrgaliny that he had two rock pools of turtles, one rock pool had female turtles and the other rock pool had male turtles. One day Marrgaliny asked Lool Lool to go fishing with him but Lool Lool said he would rather stay home. When Marrgaliny had disappeared into the distance Lool Lool went to the rock pool filled with the female turtles and caught one to eat. Marrgaliny came back and saw Lool Lool cooking and cutting up the turtle and asked him where he caught it. Lool Lool showed him and asked Marrgaliny if he wanted to have a taste. Marrgaliny ate a piece and enjoyed it as the meat was tender and had a sweet taste. He asked Lool Lool if he could catch one for him to eat as well. Lool Lool agreed and went to the rockpool and pulled out a male turtle. He cut it up and gave it to Marrgaliny to eat but the meat was tough and not very tasty unlike the female turtle which had been juicy and plenty to eat.

Marrgaliny became angry and returned to his bali and got his spears, boomerang and marrgar (shield). Both men began to fight and it became a vicious battle. Two other men, Boongood and Jungard saw them fighting and joined in. They fought and fought until Boongood tried to run away. As he was running he was hit by a spear in the back and he fell into the ocean. He wriggled and wriggled to get the spear out but it stayed in him and he turned into a black sting ray with white spots and swam away. Then Jungard was fighting with Marrgaliny who threw hot coals from the fire over him. The coals got stuck in Jungard’s body so he also jumped into the ocean to cool down. The coals caused his skin to become rough and spikey and he turned into a white sting ray and swam away.

Lool Lool and Marrgaliny had run out of weapons so Lool Lool hit Marrgaliny on the head with his marrgar. With the marrgar stuck in his head and the boomerang in his side Marrgaliny became dizzy, he stumbled and he fell into the ocean. He sank into the water and as Lool Lool washed his face of blood he saw the hammerhead shark swimming away. Lool Lool was exhausted and had a boomerang stuck in his side. So he jumped into the ocean where the boomerang turned into a dorsal fin and he turned into a beautiful shark that swam in the water near his old home. Lool Lool would help people if they were ever drowning or had fallen from their boats.  

What's Great About This Collaboration?

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Barnamboo prints will be donated to One Funky World which aims to support organisations that are promoting Indigenous health and sporting initiatives in remote Australian communities.

Countless statistics demonstrate a significant gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health, welfare and life expectancy. One Funky World believes that sport plays an important role for young people to improve health and fitness, build confidence, develop social skills and increase learning.

By supporting organisations that operate community swimming, sport and general health programs in Indigenous communities, One Funky World hopes to make a tangible difference to the lives of the young participants involved in the programs and help close the gap. Find out more at www.onefunky.com

Buy your Barnamboo swimsuit to support One Funky World today at Simply Swim.