Yarla Jukurrpaby Adrianna Nangala Egan

This Yarla Jukurrpa belongs to men of the Japaljarri/Jungarrayi subsections and to Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women. It comes from an area to the east of Yuendumu called Cockatoo Creek. 'Yarla are fibrous tubers that grow beneath a low spreading plant, found by looking for cracks in the ground. This edible tuber grows from 'yartuna' (roots) which seek out moisture to spout new plants. Yarla are good to eat, when cooked they are soft and tasty. The Jukurrpa tells of 'Yarla' and 'Wapirti' ancestors fighting a big battle in this area. The specific site associated with this painting is a 'Mulju' (water soakages) called Ngarparapunyu. In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, associated sites and other elements. The curved lines of the 'Kuruwarri' (ceremonial designs) represent the 'Ngamarna' (vine-like tendrils) from which grow 'Jinjirla' (flowers) 'Karlangu' are usually represented as strait lines. "Karlangu' are used by Aboriginal women to dig for bush tucker like Yarla and Wapirti which are found underground.