Freda Napaljarri Jurrah

The Dreaming site for this work is Jila, a claypan to the west of Yuendumu, where ceremonies are performed for the initiation of young boys. The men travelled to Jila for ‘kurdiji’ (men’s ceremonial business), from Yanjirlpiri in the west. ‘Witi’ (ceremonial spears) are made from the wood of the ‘ngapiri’ tree (river red gum [Eucalyptus camaldulensis]) and are attached to the shins of initiates with ‘ngalyipi’ (snake vine), often represented by wavy lines.This Dreaming belongs to Jungarrayi/Japaljarri men and Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women. In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, particular sites and other elements.