Women Gathering Bush Tucker (Honey Ants) (SOLD)

In this painting Marie Ryder depicts women collecting merne yerrampe, known as honey ants. Merne means food in Marie’s language and yerrampe is the honey ant.

Honey ants are a sweet bush food for the aboriginal people. When hunting for honey ants care is taken not to kill or hurt them (or not get bitten either!) so that they can go on and collect more honey. The sac on the back of the yerrampe holds pure natural honey. 

Women are represented by the U shaped symbols, accompanied by their digging sticks and decorated coolamons (carved wooden bowls).

Heartbreak, This Painting is No Longer Available