Marilyn Maria Nangala Turner

The country associated with this painting is Mina Mina, a place far to the west of Yuendumu, which is significant to Napangardi and Napanangka women and Japangardi and Japanangka men. All of them are custodians of the Jukurrpa which 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 (Tinospora smilacina or 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 [Allocasuarina decaisneana]) tree. ‘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.