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Free postage within Australia
Catalogue: 23/175
This painting tells the story of Aboriginal women collecting honey ants, a special bush food found in Central Australia.
The round, curved shapes in the painting represent women sitting on the ground. Beside them are their coolamons, which are traditional wooden bowls used in the old days for carrying bush tucker. The women are shown digging into the earth near a mulga tree, where honey ants live.
Honey ants make their homes deep underground, often beneath the roots of the mulga. The women use digging sticks. It takes patience and knowledge passed down through generations.
The honey ants are a special treat. Their swollen back ends are filled with sweet liquid that tastes like honey. They can be found throughout the year.