![Australian Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) artwork by FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) of Omie Artists. The title is Nyoni han’e, varib’e, ije biweje ohu’o jubuje - Leaves of the fern, Dahorurajé clan emblem, boys chopping tree branches and nocturnal marsupial (Fate Savari’s ‘signature’). [12-223] (Ink on Schoolbook Paper)](https://media.redotgallery.com/stockroom/gallery/n/nyoni-hanc3a2e-varibc3a2e-ije-biweje-ohuc3a2o-jubuje-leaves-of-the-fern-dahorurajc3a3-clan-emblem-boys-5546.png)
FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) (dec)
12-223
Ink on Schoolbook Paper
Nyoni han’e, varib’e, ije biwe… | 12-223
Ink on Schoolbook Paper
21 x 29.5cm | 8.27 x 11.61in (irregular)
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In 2012 at Gora Art Centre, Fate Savari presented a schoolbook she had obtained from her granddaughter. It was filled from front to back with drawings about her ancestral Ömie stories (including the Ömie creation story), histories, culture and clan designs. There were also some loose pages in the front and back of the schoolbook and more drawings on paper wrapped up in a larger drawing on paper. Fate created the book and drawings because she felt a great urgency to record her profound knowledge before she passed away. This is one of the special drawings from that first presentation of drawings.
This is a variation of the Dahorurajé clan design of the fern leaf, nyoni han’e. This originates from old Sidonejo village, where Fate was born and grew up. This area is near present day Savodobehi village, and the sacred Mount Obo and volcano Huvaimo.
The singular plant emblem with the leaves is the Dahorurajé clan design of varib’e, a small palm. This also originates from the old Sidonejo village.
The two circles with the lines that run diagonally are ije bi’weje, boys cutting the leaves of a tree. Fate explains: “The mother was cleaning the bush to make a garden with her two young sons. The boys climbed a tree to cut all of the branches and leaves down. The branches fell down and the mother took all of the leaves and threw them away. Then the mother got plenty of bananas, taro and yam to plant in their newly cleared garden. When they finished planting all of the plants, they ate all of the food from the garden and lived a long life.” Fate seems to use this design (in circular form) as her artist’s signature or ‘stamp’ sometimes, just as she uses the nocturnal marsupial jubuje which can be seen also.
The jubuje is an unidentified nocturnal marsupial animal (similar to a possum). They live on top of the mountain. Omie people use to eat jubuje. It can be found feeding on the fruit of the the jari-han’e tree. Fate explains, “I am the Jubuje… be-cause I paint fast! … just like the Jubuje moves through the trees.