Description
This painting depicts a dhuwa story for the Djambarrpuyŋu clan. This ganguri (yam) design is used in bäpurru (funeral ceremonies), when yams are collected for ŋatha (food).
Artist Jason Dhawulunbulun expains “we go around first time. Sometimes we find the yams, sometimes we don’t find the yams; then we go around the next day. I go around and listen for the birds, the gukkuk, brown pigeon (bar-shouldered dove). They sing if you just want to tell where the ganguri is. Always sitting on the tree going for that yam”.
The yam string and leaves also show where the yams are. Jason explains “if we see this string here then you know there are yams underneath in the ground. Sometimes in the tree hanging down, sometime on the ground”.
The black rarrk (cross-hatching) in the painting represents the mäpan, (small worm-like animal).”When you find a yam with mapän then you get the sand and rub it over your body, and then put the sand back in the hole, so you don’t get boil when you eat the yam”. In a ceremonial context, when yams with mäpan are found, then the manikay (ceremonial song) is also performed.
Story by Jason Dhawulunbulun, recorded by Hetty Watts.
