PAINTING STORY

Pamapardu Jukurrpa (Flying Ant Dreaming) – Warntungurru

This paintng depicts the Pamapardu Jukurrpa (Flying Ant
Dreaming) from Warntungurru, west of Yuendumu.
‘Pamapardu’ is the Warlpiri name for the flying ants or
termites that build the large anthills found throughout
Warlpiri country. This country belongs to
Nakamarra/Napurrurla women and Jakamarra/Jupurrurla
men. ‘Pamapardu’ are flying ants. They build earth mounds
(‘mingkirri’) that are common in the Tanami area. When
heavy rains come in summer the ‘mingkirri’ get flooded out,
so the ‘pamapardu’ grow wings and fly off to make new
homes, following their queens to dry mounds or to build a
new. When they have found their new home they drop their
wings. In this stage they can be collected, lightly cooked in
coals and eaten. As they fall to the ground women collect
them to eat because they are nice and sweet. In
contemporary Warlpiri paintngs traditonal iconography is
used to represent the Jukurrpa, partcular sites and other
elements. When this Jukurrpa story is painted concentric
circles are used to represent the ‘mingkirri’ and the
rockholes involved in the story, including the central one at
Wapurtali (Mt Singleton). Dashes are often depicted around
the circles to represent the ‘pamapardu’.

Artist: Serita Nakamarra Ross

GARMENT INFO

• Organically grown wild bamboo
• Loose fit - Large sizes, most people go down one size
• Chest pocket
• Bamboo wood-look buttons

COMPOSITION

65%  Bamboo Fiber  35% Cotton