Meet the Tiwi Islands Aboriginal Community
The remote community of Wurrumiyanga is an Aboriginal community located on the southeast corner of Bathurst Island, part of the Tiwi Islands, 80 kilometres north-west of Darwin.
Bima Wear’s remarkable journey towards cultural revitalisation and economic sustainability began in 1969. This story explores Bima Wear’s journey, their aspirations, and support provided by Many Rivers, and the results they achieved.
Community History
The Tiwi community has deep historical ties to their land and culture. Over the years, they faced the challenges of economic adversity, social disconnection, and cultural erosion.
Back in 1969, under the guidance of the Catholic Church, Tiwi women created their own clothing label Bima Wear – which is still creating vibrant and distinctive clothing and homewares today.
Tiwi women proudly own and operate Bima Wear. They design, print and manufacture everyday, occasional and ceremonial wear that celebrates their unique language and culture. Bima Wear’s hand-printed fabrics feature traditional symbols, designs, family and environmental representations that are central to Tiwi culture.
Community Aspirations
After a period of adverse external influences which affected productivity, Bima Wear wanted to grow and become a well-regarded and valuable Tiwi art centre, serving to help preserve local culture, and provide employment and skills development for Tiwi women of all ages.
Economic Development Journey
Key business development stages that Bima Wear went through include:
- 1978 Bima Wear was incorporated and had a purpose-built workshop established
- 2019 Bima Wear celebrated their 50th anniversary at the Northern Territory Government and launched their online shop
- 2022: The Bima Wear workshop renovated and reopens post COVID.
Upon joining Many Rivers Community Economic Development (CED) program in 2023, Bima Wear secured Federal Government grant funding to establish programs to conduct screen printing training and upskilling. With the support of the CED program, they sought to increase the recruitment of young women, improve the quality and quantity of work produced and deliver a successful AGM within the required timeframe.
Outcomes
By 2024 Bima Wears key achievements included:
- Funding secured to enable recruitment of a full-time manager
- Successful application for a $60,000 tourism grant through the Northern Territory government, to refit shop and install new landmark mural
- Grant applications lodged to support further upgrades to workshops and develop a new long-term strategic plan.
Nicola Skill, Manager of Bima Wear explains, “My Many Rivers’ business coach assisted us to do some really practical things like grant writing and connecting dots with people and doing research for us. Together we are retaining a bit of Tiwi culture, keeping it going and feeling a sense of self-worth … I’ve looked around and just felt really proud of the work that’s happened here.”
Through the support of Many Rivers, the organisation is now a well-regarded and valuable Tiwi art centre, successfully preserving the local culture, and provide employment and skill development for local women of all ages. Bima Wear holds a significant cultural and social role in the Tiwi community and produces custom made coffin covers for funerals, ceremonial nagas for men, ceremonial skirts and tops for women, and outfits for religious events.
The future for Bima Wear
Bima Wear intends to expand retail sales by presenting their garments and prints at national fashion shows and art shows. They also plan to expand engagement with, and employment of, young women in the community.
