Janaganpa Jukurrpa
Brush-tail Possum Dreaming

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Judith Nungarrayi Martin





This story comes from a big hill called Mawurrji, West of Yuendumu and North of Pikilyi (Vaughan Springs). Janganpa Jukurrpa travels all over Warlpiri country. ‘Janganpa’ are nocturnal animals that often nest in the hollows of white gum trees. At night they would go out in search of food. Their hunting trips took them to Wirlki and Wanapirdi, where they found flying ants. They journeyed on to Ngarlkirdipini looking for water. A Nampijinpa woman was living at Mawurrji with her two daughters. She gave them in marriage to a Jupurrurla but later decided to run away with them. The Jupurrurla angrily pursued the women. He tracked them to Mawurrji where he killed them with a stone axe. Their bodies are now rocks. Warlpiri people perform a young men’s initiation ceremony, which involves the Janganpa Jukurrpa. It belongs to Jakamarra/Jupurrurla men and Nakamarra/Napurrurla women. In Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent this Jukurrpa. ‘Janganpa’ tracks are often represented as 'E' shaped figures and concentric circles are used to depict the trees inwhich the ‘janganpa’ live, and also the sites at Mawurrji.

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