PAINTING STORY

Purrpalanji (Skinny Bush Banana) Jukurrpa

‘Purrpalanji’ (skinny bush banana [Rhyncharrhena linearis])
is a twining climber with thin leaves and pink-brown
flowers. Its bean-like edible pods are long and skinny, and
can grow up to 20 cm long. It is fire tolerant and grows
quickly whenever moisture is available. Like ‘yuparli’ (bush
banana [Marsdenia australis]), all of the plant is eaten aside
from the woody stems.
This ‘purrpalanji Jukurrpa’ (skinny bush banana Dreaming)
comes from Pikilyi (Vaughan Springs), a large waterhole and
natural spring to the west of Yuendumu, close to Mount
Doreen. Napangardi/Napanangka women and
Japangardi/Japanangka men are the ‘kirda’ (owners) of the
skinny bush banana Dreaming at Pikilyi. Nangala women
and Jangala men are the ‘kurdungurlu’ (custodians) of this
Dreaming.
Napangardi and Napanangka women collect ‘purrpalanji’
(skinny bush banana) and ‘yuparli’ (bush banana) around
Pikilyi in their ‘parraja’ (coolamons).

Artist: Nola Napangardi Fisher

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