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Continue shoppingMy design is about the Macassans coming across from Indonesia and trading with our old people. They would bring their tamarinds and trade them for our sea cucumber (trepang). We had many sea cucumbers growing on our islands here. They would trade other things as well - tools, knives and spearheads.
The ‘giant’ (in the design) was the one the Macassans used to deal with. He was my ancestor. He was the leader of the Gaambera people, he was the one who looked after our country.
He was the biggest fella - maybe 6 foot tall. The Macassans had to go through him. He would make the deal with the Macassans, and then other people from our country and surrounding country would come to him to trade goods for the tamarinds. This was all happening a long time ago - before the missionaries came around. People wanted the tamarinds, they liked the taste. Sometimes they would mix it with the fish for extra flavour but mostly they just ate them - just like lollies! The tamarind trees grow wild around here now - because of when the Indonesians came across to trade.
“My design is about the Macassans coming across from Indonesia and trading with our old people.”
'Magpie Goose: Stories You Wear' exhibition has opened - And there are a lot of people to thank!
Reflections on the Opening of Magpie Goose: Stories You Wear and the many people we need to thank.
It's Black Friday Every Week: Because Our Prices Are Already Honest
You won’t see any flashing discounts or countdown clocks here, because at Magpie Goose, we have Black Friday every week. Our prices are already as fair and as low as we can make them. We work hard ...
Acknowledging Artists on Every Garment
Every new Magpie Goose garment features the artist’s name and artwork title on its care label, honouring Aboriginal Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and celebrating the stories behind the ...
Magpie Goose acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and trade. We acknowledge their ongoing connection and custodianship for Country.
We pay our deep respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly those who we work and collaborate with.
Always was, always will be.
