This Jukurrpa (Dreaming) comes from Mina Mina, a very important womens Dreaming site far to the west of Yuendumu near Lake Mackay and the WA border. The kirda (owners) of this Dreaming are Napangardi/Napanangka women and Japangardi/Japanangka men; the area is sacred to Napangardi and Napanangka women. There are a number of mulju (water soakages) and a maluri (clay pan) at Mina Mina.

In the Dreamtime, ancestral women danced at Mina Mina and karlangu (digging sticks) rose up out of the ground. The women collected the digging sticks and then travelled on to the east, dancing, digging for bush tucker, collecting ngalyipi (snake vine [Tinospora smilacina]), and creating many places as they went. Ngalyipi is a rope-like creeper that grows up the trunks and limbs of trees, including kurrkara (desert oak [Allocasuarina decaisneana]). It is used as a ceremonial wrap and as a strap to carry parraja (coolamons) and ngami (water carriers). Ngalyipi is also used to tie around the forehead to cure headaches, and to bind cuts.

The women stopped at Karntakurlangu, Janyinki, Parapurnta, Kimayi, and Munyuparntiparnti, sites spanning from the west to the east of Yuendumu. When they stopped, the women dug for bush foods like jintiparnta (desert truffle [Elderia arenivaga]). The Dreaming track eventually took them far beyond Warlpiri country. The track passed through Coniston in Anmatyerre country to the east, and then went on to Alcoota and Aileron far to the northeast of Yuendumu and eventually on into Queensland.

In Warlpiri paintings, traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa and other elements. In many paintings of this Jukurrpa, sinuous lines are used to represent the ngalyipi (snake vine). Concentric circles are often used to represent the jintiparnta (desert truffles) that the women have collected, while straight lines can be used to depict the karlangu (digging sticks).

Original Art

The country associated with this Jukurrpa is Mina Mina, a place far to the west of Yuendumu, which is significant to Napangardi/Napanangka women and Japangardi/Japanangka men. All of them are the custodians of the Jukurrpa that created the area.

The Jukurrpa story tells of the journey of a group of women of all ages who travelled to the east gathering food, collecting ngalyipi (snake vine) and performing ceremonies as they travelled. The women began their journey at Mina Mina where karlangu (digging sticks) emerged from the ground. Taking these implements the women travelled east creating Janyinki and other sites. Their journey took them far to the east beyond the boundaries of Warlpiri country. The ngalyipi vine grows up the trunks and limbs of the kurrkara (desert oak) trees. Ngalyipi is a sacred vine to Napangardi and Napanangka women that has many uses. It can be used as a ceremonial wrap, as a strap to carry parrajas (wooden bowls) that are laden with bush tucker and as a tourniquet for headaches.

Please note: Original paintings on canvas are firmly wrapped around stretcher bars, also known as ‘stretched’. For any international shipments (outside of Australia), these paintings will be shipped unstretched and rolled to ensure their safe delivery. Pleasecontact us for any enquiries.

Additionally, this unique painting may also be available to purchase in-store. Should it be sold to an in-store buyer prior to an online sale, we will promptly contact you to arrange a refund and discuss alternative art options.