The Bagu were originally fire sticks. These objects held sacred value due to the torrential rains that regularly fall in this tropical region. They were carried along during the movements of this nomadic people. Women were not allowed to handle them; only a man designated by the group had exclusive responsibility for the fire and had to ensure it never went out. The Aboriginal people of Queensland gave these sticks an anthropomorphic form in homage to the spirit of fire - Chikka-bunnah. While they were originally made exclusively from wood, the artists of this art centre, constantly experimenting with new techniques, have recently chosen to use clay to express themselves.

This work comes with certificates of authenticity from the Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre and from the gallery Arts d’Australie • Stéphane Jacob, expert in Aboriginal art.