Greeting Card - Napaljarri-Warnu Jukurrpa

Greeting Card Single - 17.5x12.5cm

The Napaljarri-Warnu Jukurrpa (Seven Sisters Dreaming )depicts the story of the seven ancestral Napaljarri sisters whoare found in the night sky today in the cluster of seven stars inthe constellation Taurus, more commonly known as the Pleiades. The Pleiades are seven women of the Napaljarri skingroup and are often depicted in paitngs of this Jukurrpacarrying the Jampijinpa man wardilyka (the bush turkey [Ardeotis australias]) who is in love with the Napaljarri-warnuand who represents the Orion's Belt cluster of stars. Jukurrajukurra, the morning star, is a Jakamarra man who is also inlove with the seven Napaljarri sisters and is oOen shownchasing them across the night sky. In a final attempt to escapefrom the Jakamarra the Napaljarri-warnu turned themselves into fire and ascended to the heavens to become stars. The custodians of the Napaljarri-warnu Jukurrpa areJapaljarri/Jungarrayi men and Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women. Some parts of the Napaljarri-warnu Jukurrpa are closely associated with men's sacred ceremonies of a very secret nature. Yanjirlpirri Jukurrpa (Star Dreaming) tells of the journey of Japaljarri and Jungarrayi men who travelled from Kurlurngalinypa (near Lajamanu) to Yanjirlypirri (west of Yuendumu) and then on to Lake Mackay on the West Australian border. Along the way they performed kurdiji (initiationceremonies) for young men. Women also danced for the kurdiji. The site depicted in this canvas is Yanjirlypiri (star) where there is a low hill and a water soakage. The importance of this place cannot be overemphasized as young boys are brought here to be initiated from as far as Pitjanjatjara country to the south and Lajamanu to the north. In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography isused to represent the Jukurrpa, associated sites and other elements. Often depicted in paintings for this Jukurrpa is the female star Yantarlarangi (Venus - the Evening Star) who chasesthe seven Napaljarri sisters for having stolen the night from her.