Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming SP6096-Gary Bird Mpetyane

Gary paints the story of the Ahakeye. This is a very important story for Gary that belongs to his country, Ilkawerne. This story, its songs, dances and symbols have been passed down to Gary from his father. The ahakeye, called bush plum in English by Gary, is also known as the native currant or citrus. It belongs to the canthium attenuatum shrub which grows about 3m high. This shrub produces small white flowers, deep green citrus-like leaves and the ahakeye which are black when ripe and very small. This fruit is favoured for its sweet taste and can be reconstituted in water if dry. The background dotting represents the fruit that have fallen to the ground.