Jarntu by Senita Napangardi Granites

This painting depicts some of the Jarntu or maliki (dogs) that live in Yuendumu. Families in Yuendumu tend to won many dogs. They are good Marlpa (company). Many people think of their dogs as warlaja (family). Dogs in Yuendumu like to follow their owner around whenever they can.

Some people use their dogs to help them hunt Marlu and Wardapi among other animals. People also have dogs to protect themselves from intruders, monsters and other things that might try to hunt them and their family.  Many monsters are invisible to yapa (Aboriginal people). However, dogs are able to see and smell them. Dogs will warn yapa about them or steer them away from the monsters and thereby keep them safe.

Jarntu or maliki also feature in number of Jukurrpa stories. One maliki Jukurrpa comes from a site called Pindara, south-west of Yuendumu. Another dog Dreaming story malikjarra Jukurrpa comes from country adjacent to Warlarla. This site is part of a long Dreaming track that stretches from Yarrajalpa in the extreme west of Warlpiri country to Warlaku in the east. This Dreaming story describes proper conduct in families and marriages.