Datjuluma Guyula
Maŋgalili story
90 x 59cm

ID: 3970-26

As told by the artist:

The background is the milŋiyawuy (milkyway) and the ground is where we do the waŋupini buŋgul. Djarrakpi is where we sit in the shade of the garrkarryun waŋupini maraluma (growing moving clouds) and eat the yambirrku (these fish). We went hunting for garriwa (turtle) but only found yambirrku. We start the fire and cook the fish, and when we are finished the bones are thrown to the yiŋapuŋapu (sand sculpture) and the gunyan (crabs) clean the bones. After that we dance mudhi muthi daltjiyun buŋgul the bones have been cleaned by the gunyan.

This print depicts elements of the Maŋgalili clan story relating to the sacred ceremonial/burial grounds called the Yiŋapuŋapu at their homeland Djarrakpi. These are the waŋupiŋi (cumulonimbus thunderhead) yambirrku (parrot fish), gunyan (ghost crab) and garriwa (turtle).

The Yiŋapuŋapu is a low relief sand sculpture designed to keep any contamination of death at bay as traditionally the body of the deceased was placed within it for initial mortuary rites, to cleanse the bones of dangerous spirits held within the body tissue. A metaphor for this action of cleansing is utilised by the Maŋgalili in their sacred paintings by way of depicting Mirriya or Gunyan the sand or ghost crab picking the bones of a fish carcass on the beach. This print shows the totemic Mirriya which feeds on the Ancestral remains of the parrot fish Yambirrku.

Image size: 90 x 59cm
Paper size: 90 x 59cm
Paper: Hahnemuhle