Bush Medicine Leaf

Abie Loy Kemarre

In this painting Abie depicts the leaf of the antywerleny (Acacia tenuissima), a type of wattle. The leaves of the antywerleny are crushed and mixed with animal fat for use as a medicinal ointment, or soaked in water to make a medicinal wash. Abie says this particular bush medicine is still made and used by the people of her country today.

“Ikwerthey anter-anem thelem, apernelheyew-anem antywerlenyel” Then you pour the fat into it and rub yourself with the antywerleny.