The country associated with this painting is Mina Mina , a place west of Yuendumu, significant to Napangardi and Napanangka women who are the custodians of the Dreaming that created the area.

The Dreaming describes the journey of a group of women of all ages who travelled east gathering food, collecting Ngalyipi (Tinospora smilacina or snake vine) and performing ceremonies as they travelled.

The women began their journey at Mina Mina where karlangu emerged from the ground. Taking these implements the women travelled east creating Janyinki and other sites. Their journey took them eventually beyond Warlpiri country. The central motif in this painting is Ngalyipi, snake vine, which grows along the trunks and boughs of desert oak. Ngalyipi is a vine sacred to Napangardi and Napanangka women and has many uses. It is used as a ceremonial wrap, as a strap to carry parrajas laden with bush tucker and as a tourniquet for headaches.

If you would like to know more about Mina Mina Dreaming and the relationship with Aboriginal Art and culture, please read the following article:

• Yuendumu Aboriginal Paintings from the Central Desert