Mina Mina Jukurrpa (Mina Mina Dreaming) - Margaret Brown Napangardi

The Country associated with this Jukurrpa is Mina Mina, a significant site far to the west of Yuendumu. Mina Mina is particularly important to Napangardi and Napanangka women and Japangardi and Japanangka men, who are the custodians of the Jukurrpa that shaped and created this Country.

The Jukurrpa tells of the journey of a group of women of all ages who travelled east from Mina Mina, gathering food, collecting ‘ngalyipi’ (snake vine, Tinospora smilacina) and performing ceremonies along the way. Their journey began at Mina Mina, where ‘karlangu’ (digging sticks) emerged from the ground. Taking these implements with them, the women travelled east, creating Janyinki and many other significant sites before continuing far beyond the boundaries of Warlpiri Country.

‘Ngalyipi’ grows around the trunks and branches of ‘kurrkara’ (desert oak, Allocasuarina decaisneana) trees and is a sacred vine for Napangardi and Napanangka women. It has many important practical and ceremonial uses. The vine can be used as a ceremonial wrap, as a strap for carrying ‘parrajas’ (wooden bowls) laden with bush foods, and as a tourniquet to help relieve headaches.