Cockatoo Creekby Stephanie Napurrula Nelson

This Yarla Jukurrpa belongs to men of the Japaljarri/Jungarrayi subsections and to Napaljarri women. It comes from an area to the east of Yuendumu called Cockatoo Creek. 'Yarla' (Bush potato (pomea costata) are fibrous tubers that grow beneath a low spreading plant, found by looking for cracks in the ground. This edible tuber growns from 'yartuna' (roots) which seek out moisture to spout new plants. Yarla are good to eat, when cooked they are really soft and tasty. The Jukurrpa tells of 'Yarla' and Wapirti (bush carrot (Vigna lanceolata) ancestors fighting a big battle in this area. The specific site associated with this painting is a ;Mulju' (water soakage) called Ngarparapunya.  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 tendril's) from which grow 'Jinjirla' (flowers). 'Karlangu' (digging sticks) are usually used represented as strait lines. 'Karlangu' are used by women to dig bush tucker like Yarla and Wapiriti which are found underground.