Marrirra Marawili (dec)
Gurrtjpi
49 x 62cm Paper: 68 x 76cm

ID: 277-16

The depicted Gurrtjpi (Cow Tail Ray) is the stingray hunted much on the shallow shores of Blue Mud Bay. It is also a totem for the Madarrpa at Bäniyala as they talk of Gurrtjpi having a path of creation at Bäniyala (more lately known as Yilpara

A few hundred yards down the beach at Bäniyala, a small tidal creek cuts through the dunes to the flat country immediately behind. This small creek named Mäwaŋga was used by Gurrtjpi to track back into the bush. Here he bit into the ground forming several small billabongs, a source of water for Yolŋu living there

His path continued along the direction that is now the Bäniyala air strip to flat sandy country before heading out to the point Lulumu to become a white rock surrounded by the slow tides. During the days of Woŋgu the Djapu warrior, an area in the shape of the stingray was maintained by him and others who came to country to hunt Gurrtjpi mid way through the dry season.

The area is still clear today, his two eyes holes in the ground where the current inhabitants pick sand to throw in the direction of the rock at Lulumu for good luck and plentiful fishing. The stingray Gurrtjpi has been depicted in these waters.

Printed at Basil Hall Editions as part of the Djalkiri Blue Mud Bay Project, May 2010

FMP 77B