Dilly Bag
The dilly bag was traditionally used as a woven collecting basket. These baskets or bags made from varied natural materials, such as sand palm, pandanus or vine were and sometimes are, used to collect a variety of foods such as fish caught in conical fish traps, collections of yams or various other bush foods. The tightly woven surface painted with natural pigments, again imparting a ceremonial association.
Woven and dyed dilly bags were commonly used for hunting and the containment of personal possessions, whereas painted bags are more commonly the domain of ceremony. As well as being of practical use, dilly bags are also of spiritual significance to Arnhem Land people. Dilly bags are said to be totemic objects and are associated with particular sites in the landscape.