PAINTING STORY

Pamapardu Jukurrpa (Flying Ant Dreaming) – Warntungurru

This painting depicts the Pamapardu Jukurrpa (Flying Ant
Dreaming) from Warntungurru, 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 ofte around
the circles to represent the ‘pamapardu’.

ARTIST: MARIA NAMPIJINPA BROWN

GARMENT INFO

• Organically grown wild bamboo
• Loose fit
• Chest pocket
• Bamboo wood-look buttons

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