Jorna Nelson Napurrula Indigenous Australian (Warlpiri), 1930-2010

Tjupurrula and Tjakamarra men and Napurrula and Nakamarra women are the 'kurdungurlu' (ceremonial custodians) of the Janganpa (common brush tail possum or trichosurus vulpecula) Dreaming. 'Janganpa' are nocturnal animals that often nest in the hollows of white gum trees (wapunungka) A common 'janganpa' story is about a 'janganpa' ancestor who travelled all over the Warlpiri lands, visiting various sites during the Dreamtime including one site called Jangankurlangu, meaning literally, 'belonging to the possum'.

The 'janganpa' men carry their hunting weapons as they move around the country, wearing 'majardi (hair string skirts) 'janganpa' were once frequently found across much of the Warlpiri and neighboring country but have become extinct in recent years. It is speculated that this extinction may be due to feral cat predation and the changes to their habitat caused by the introduction of cattle and other feral animals. The 'janganpa' is considered good meat for 'yapa' (Warlpiri people). In traditional Warlpiri iconography wavy lines and "E" shapes are used to depict the tracks that the 'janganpa' left as he moved around.

Please note that all First Nations Art is created from a so called ‘Birds Eye’ view. This means that the paintings can be hung either horizontally as well as vertically.