The country associated with this Jukurrpa is Mina Mina, a place far to the west of Yuendumu that is significant to Napangardi/Napanangka women and Japangardi/Japanangka men. They are the custodians of the Jukurrpa that created the area.
The Jukurrpa story tells of the journey of a group of women of all ages who travelled east, gathering food, collecting ngalyipi (snake vine, Tinospora smilacina) and performing ceremonies as they travelled.
The women began their journey at Mina Mina, where karlangu (digging sticks) emerged from the ground. Taking these implements, the women travelled east, creating Janyinki and other sites along the way. Their journey took them far beyond the boundaries of Warlpiri Country.
The ngalyipi vine grows up the trunks and limbs of the kurrkara (desert oak, Allocasuarina decaisneana) trees.
Ngalyipi is a sacred vine to Napangardi and Napanangka women and has many uses. It can be used as a ceremonial wrap, as a strap to carry parrajas (wooden bowls) laden with bush foods, and as a tourniquet for headaches.
