Jeffrey Jangala Gallagher

This particular site of the Yankirri Jukurrpa (emu dreaming) is at Ngarlikurlangu, north of Yuendumu. The yankirri (emu) travelled to the rockhole at Ngarlikurlangu to find water. This Jukurrpa storybelongs to Jangala/Jampijinpa men and Nangala/Nampijinpa women. In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, associated sites and other elements. Emus are usually represented by their ‘wirliya’ (footprints), arrow-like shapes that show them walking around Ngarlikurlangu eating ‘yakajirri’ (bush raisin). In the time of the Jukurrpa there was a fight at Ngarlikurlangu between a yankirri ancestor and Wardilyka (Australian bustard) ancestors over sharing the yakajirri. There is also a dance for this jukurrpa that is performed during initiation ceremonies.

Jeffrey Jangala Gallagher is from Nyirripi (NT) and works with Warlukurlangu Artists of Yuendumu.