Janganpa Jukurrpa (common brush-tail possum or Trichosurus vulpecula Dreaming) travels all over Warlpiri country. [A ‘Dreaming’ is a creation story that involves past, present, and future, often determining law and social behavior, ceremonies, relationships both between men and women as well as the environment, plant and animal kingdoms]. 'Janganpa' are nocturnal animals that often nest in the hollows of white gum trees ('wapunungka'). This story comes from a big hill called Mawurrji, west of Yuendumu and north of Pikilyi (Vaughan Springs). A group of 'janganpa' ancestors resided there. Every night they would go out in search of food. Their hunting trips took them to Wirlki and Wanapirdi, where they found 'pamapardu' (flying ants). They journeyed on to Ngarlkirdipini looking for water. A Nampijinpa woman was living at Mawurrji with her two daughters. She gave her daughters in marriage to a Jupurrula 'janganpa' but later decided to run away with them. The Jupurrula angrily pursued the woman. He tracked them to Mawurrji where he killed them with a stone axe. Their bodies are now the rocks at this place. Warlpiri people perform a young men's initiation ceremony, which involves the Janganpa Jukurrpa. The Janganpa Jukurrpa belongs to the Jakamarra/Jupurrula men and Nakamarra/Napurrula women. In Warlpiri paintings, traditional iconography is used represented as 'E' shaped figures, and concentric circles are used to depict the trees in which the 'janganpa' live, and also the sites at Mawurrji.

Copyright of artwork and text remains with the artist and Aboriginal traditional owners and is administered on their behalf by Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation. Reproduced with kind permission.

COLLECTIONS:

Hida Museum, Japan

EXHIBITIONS:

2003 Aboriginal Art, Earth Wisdom Center, Hida Museum, Japan

2000 ‘Kurawari’, The Desart Gallery, Sydney

1990 'Women's Exhibition', The Women's Gallery, Melbourne