Lappi Lappi Jukurrpaby Antonia Napangardi Michaels

Artwork: Lappi Lappi Jukurrpa
Artist: Antonia Napangardi Michaels

This painting tells the story of Lappi Lappi Jukurrpa. Lappi Lappi is a rockhole near Lake Hazlett in Western Australia. The country belongs to the Nampijinpa/Jampijinpa and Nangala/Jangala skin groups. Lappi Lappi is a permanent source of water and is surrounded by country rich in bush tucker. In the Dreamtime many mother's with young children would gather there because it was a safe place to stay. The rockhole is home to the Warnayarra or Rainbow Serpent who travels underground between various rockholes. One day women were gathered at the rockhole with their children singing and dancing. The Warnayarra heard voices and travelled silently toward them under the water. When it reached the edge of the water it rose out and ate them all.