Brush-tailed possum dreaming – Mungapunju - Australia

Painted in 2009. The country associated with the Janganpa Jukurrpa (brush-tailed possum [Tricosurus vulpecula] dreaming) is Mungapunju, a hill south of the Yuendumu. A large family of ancestral „janganpa? travelled east to Yukurdiyi. Then they travelled back to Mungapunju. The „janganpa? live in hollow trees and hunt nocturnally, carrying their young on their backs. „Janganpa? were once frequently found across much of Warlpiri and neighboring country but have become extinct in recent years. It is speculated that this extinction may be due to feral cat predation and the changes to their habitat caused by the introduction of cattle and other feral animals. The „janganpa? is considered good meat for „yapa? (Warlpiri people). Japaljarri/Jungarrayi men and Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women are the custodians of this Jukurrpa.

In traditional Warlpiri iconography circles are used to represent the camps of the „janganpa?, curved lines depict the tracks left by the „janganpa ?s? tail and 'E' shapes are used to represent the „janganpa's? footprints

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity

Born: 01/01/1935

Skin Name: Napaljarri

Country: Yuendumu, Northern Territory

Group: Warlpiri - Anmatyerre

 

Biography:

Maggie Napaljarri Ross was born at Conniston Station in the Northern Territory in the early 1940s. She spent her early years there, before moving to Yuendumu as a child where she attended the mission school. Like her older brother Paddy Japaljarri Stewart, she went on to teach at the Yuendumu school before working as a cleaner at Yuendumu clinic.

Now widowed, Maggie has four children and "a big mob of grandkids". She enjoys teaching her grandchildren how to hunt for bush tucker such as witchetty grubs, goannas and bush onions.

Maggie always looks forward to ceremonies, dancing at signing with the other women.

Maggie's traditional country is in around the Yuendumu area, at sites suck as Wakurlpu, Yuendumu, Kakadu (Mt Dennison) and Wariwari (Mt Allan). She is responsible for Jukurrpa relating to Marlu (kangaroos), Janmarda (bush onions), Janganpa (possums), Warlawurru (eagles) and Miinypa (native fuschia). These Jukurrpa were passed down to her by her father and mother, and relate directly to theland, its features and the plants and animals that inhabit it.

 

Medium:
Acrylic on canvas/linen

Themes:
Marlu (Kangaroo)
Janmarda ( Bush Onion)
Janganpa (Possum)
Native Fuschia