Jurlpu Kuja Kalu nyinami Yurntumu-wana (Birds that live around Yuendumu) 3915/22 (M)

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 [MelopsiƩacus 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.

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Geraldine Napangardi Granites was born and has lived in Yuendumu all her life. Yuendumu is a remote Aboriginal community located 290 kms north-west of Alice Springs in the NT of Australia. Geraldine is the daughter of Alma Nungarrayi Granites, a strong parƟcipant of Warlukurlangu ArƟsts Aboriginal CorporaƟon and granddaughter of Paddy Japaljarri Sims (dec) and Bessie Nakamarra Sims (Dec): two of Warlukurlangu ArƟsts founding arƟsts. She aƩended the local school and has two sisters and one brother who also paint with Warlukurlangu ArƟsts Aboriginal CorporaƟon, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located in Yuendumu. She also has four children, 2 sons and 2 daughters. She is a shy person who is very involved with her large extended family and enjoys being around children and helping the family’s grandchildren. Geraldine learns by observing her grandfather’s art works as well as Judy Napangardi Watson’s work (a Warlpiri arƟst who is at the forefront of a move towards more abstract rendering of Jukurrpa /Dreaming stories). When Judy visits Yuendumu and the Warlukurlangu Art Centre Geraldine loves to listen to Judy’s stories about a special country, Mina Mina. She also paints alongside her mother Alma and sister Sabrina and observes them while they paint their art work. Geraldine is working hard to develop a modern interpretation of the traditional culture. Geraldine started painting at the Centre in 2001 and paints the Mina Mina Dreaming story which is an important woman’s story.