Artist: Cherylyn Napangardi Granites
Size: 61cm x 61cm
Artworks are posted stretched and ready to hang.
This painting depicts one of many ˜jurlpu (bird) species that live around Yuendumu. The bush around Yuendumu provides many different habitats for birds to live in. Many bird species live around waterholes and rivers, like the ˜pirniny-pirninypa (black fronted dotterel [Elseyornis melanops]) and Ngatijirri (budgerigar [Melopsittacus undulates]). Others live in the spinifex country, like the ˜nuwiyingki or ˜panngarra (cockatiel [Nymphicus hollandicus]). Still others make nests in trees, like the ˜juwayikirdi (grey crowned babbler [Pomatostomus temporalis]).
People hunt some of these species for meat. The most popular species to hunt today are the ˜yankirri (emu [Dromaius novaehollandiae]) and ˜wardilyka (bush turkey [Ardeotis australis]). People also used to hunt ˜yupurru (spinifex pigeon [Geophaps plumifera]) and ˜ngapilkiri (crested pigeon [Ocyphaps lophotes]), among others.
A number of bird species tell people messages. Several species tell people when rain is coming, including the ˜jintirr-jintirrpa (willy wagtail [Rhipidura leucophrys]) and ˜kalwa (crane). The cries of other birds, like the ˜kirrkalanji (brown falcon [Falco berigora]) and ˜ngamirliri (bush stone curlew [Burhinus grallarius]), can make children sick. The ˜paku-paku (crested bellbird [Oreoica gutturalis]) and ˜kurlukuku (diamond dove [Geopelia cuneata]) are messengers of love songs.
People also use messages from birds to help them hunt. The ˜juwayikirdi (grey crowned babbler [Pomatostomus temporalis]) and ˜piirn-piirnpa (yellow throated miner [Manorina flavigula]) cry when goannas are nearby. People know to run quickly when these birds cry, so that they can catch the goannas.
In Warlpiri culture, ˜jurlpu (birds) are associated with a number of different ˜Jukurrpa (Dreaming) stories. Some are even associated with major ceremonies, including the Jardiwarnpa fire ceremony.
