The creation story in West Arnhem centres on a female ancestor, the mother known as Yingana, who emerged from the Arafura Sea and travelled across the inland regions. Yingana gave birth to the Bininj, the people of this country, and taught them each their proper language. Suspended from a headband were many dilly bags that contained yams, which she planted and taught the Bininj how to harvest. As well as being of practical use, dilly bags are also of religious significance to Arnhem Land people. Dilly bags are said to be totemic objects and are associated with particular sites in the landscape.

The bags and baskets are made by the women.

Women of Arnhem Land go out bush to collect kunngobarn (Pandanus spiralis). It means that the ladies can keep an eye on country, maintain their relationships with the ancestors and possibly do some hunting along the way. Upon returning to the community the process of stripping the leaves to manageable size and dyeing it with natural dyes gives people time to sit together and talk. Children watch and learn at the same time.

The wet season is the perfect time to make baskets, as the Pandanus is fresh and full of water from the rains meaning plenty of new shoots. Only the newest shoots are suitable for stripping. At this time of year some colours, like purple, become available for a short time as different plants flower or fruit. You can tell wet season baskets by their vibrant colours and often their larger size.Plants are collected for their colour properties.