Darbalun (Goanna) by Samuel Daylight

“This design I made is the little goanna– in our Alawa language we call it Darbalun. We have them for lunch when we go out hunting for animals. We've lived on this animal for 65000 years, since time began! You catch it by lifting up a rock (they live under the rock). Then you chuck it in the coals - or make a stone oven (Ardarl in Alawa language). Every meat tastes like chicken, but chicken doesn’t describe it – it’s a taste to die for! There's a bigger goanna too – Warjindu in Alawa. The bigger goanna is my ‘second boss’; we both own each other, in our culture. We share ceremony, and share the same cultural state.

Each person is connected with an animal – for me it’s kangaroo, and the bigger goanna. These are my totems. My mother’s father, and my grandmother - my mum’s side of family - represent the goanna. And the goanna also represents this land, Alawa Country, Minyerri. This is goanna country.

I made this design in April 2018; I’m pretty excited to see it in a shirt! Now I’m wearing this shirt it makes me feel happy – what this little animal has helped me achieve!”

Each person is connected with an animal – for me it’s kangaroo, and the bigger goanna. These are my totems. ”

Blog posts

View all
Quandamooka collectionWe Made a Mistake - but was it a Happy Accident?

We Made a Mistake - but was it a Happy Accident?

Sometimes mistakes turn into something beautiful. When producing Woven in History by Kyra Mancktelow, we accidentally ordered our old quantity of fabric — around 500 metres. The result? More garmen...

We're in the running for a NIFA Award

We're in the running for a NIFA Award

Finalists again! 🎉 Magpie Goose x Quandamooka Artists are honoured to be named finalists in the 2026 National Indigenous Fashion Awards for the Community Collaboration Award, celebrating strong par...

CompetitionWin an exclusive experience for you and up to 10 friends

Win an exclusive experience for you and up to 10 friends

Win an unforgettable Magpie Goose experience for you and up to 10 friends — including a private guided tour of Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose at the Museum of Brisbane, hosted by a Magpie Goose own...