Catalogue

Jacob Jungarrayi Spencer

Biographics

Paintings

Japaljarri and Jungarrayi men travelled from Kurlurngalinypa (near Lajamanu) to Yanjirlypirri (west of Yuendumu) and then on to Lake Mackay. On the way they performed kurdiji (initiation ceremonies) for young men. Women also danced for the kurdiji. The site depicted in this canvas is Yanjirlypirri (star) where there is a low hill and a water soakage. The importance of this place can not be overemphasised as young boys are brought here to be initiated from as far as Pitjanjatjara country to the south and Lajamanu to the north. The men wear jinjirla (white feathers), during the ceremony, on either side of their heads. They also wear wooden carvings of stars which are also laid out on the ground as part of the sand paintings produced for the initiations (kurlkurlpa). Also the men used ngalyipi (snake vine), shown as long straight lines, to tie witi (ceremonial spears) vertically to the shins of the dancing initiates. These witi are shown as long straight lines. The white circles depict Yanjirlpirri (stars). Jungarrayi and Japaljarri men are also represented as U-shapes.