This painting depicts the Pamapardu Jukurrpa (Flying Ant
Dreaming) from Wapurtali, west of Yuendumu. ‘Pamapardu’
is the Warlpiri name for the flying ants or termites that
build the large anthills found throughout Warlpiri country.
This country belongs to Nakamarra/Napurrurla women and
Jakamarra/Jupurrurla men. ‘Pamapardu’ are flying ants. They
build earth mounds (‘mingkirri’) that are common in the
Tanami area. When heavy rains come in summer the
‘mingkirri’ get flooded out, so the ‘pamapardu’ grow wings
and fly off to make new homes, following their queens to dry
mounds or to build a new. When they have found their new
home they drop their wings. In this stage they can be
collected, lightly cooked in coals and eaten. As they fall to
the ground women collect them to eat because they are
nice and sweet. In contemporary Warlpiri paintings
traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa,
particular sites and other elements. When this Jukurrpa
story is painted concentric circles are used to represent the
‘mingkirri’ and the rockholes involved in the story, including
the central one at Wapurtali (Mt Singleton). Dashes are
often depicted around the circles to represent the
‘pamapardu’.

ARTIST: MARIA NAMPIJINPA BROWN

GARMENT INFO

• Organically grown wild bamboo
• V-neck
• Hidden pockets
• Light weight

COMPOSITION

65%  Bamboo Fiber  35% Cotton

Care and Use Instructions: cold machine wash with like colours. Do not bleach, soak or rub

Do not tumble dry. Warm iron, Do not dry clean