Janganpa Jukurrpa (common brush-tail possum [Trichosurus vulpecula]
Dreaming) travels all over Warlpiri country. ‘Janganpa’ are nocturnal
animals that often nest in the hollows of white gum trees
(‘wapunungka’). This story comes from a big hill called Mawurrji, west
of Yuendumu and north of Pikilyi (Vaughan Springs). A
group of ‘janganpa’ ancestors resided there. Every night they would go
out in search of food. Their hunting trips took them to Wirlki and
Wanapirdi, where they found
‘pamapardu’ (flying ants). They journeyed on to Ngarlkirdipini looking
for water. A Nampijinpa women was living at Mawurrji with her two
daughters. She gave her daughters in marriage to a Jupurrurla ‘janganpa’
but later decided to run away with them. The Jupurrurla angrily pursued
the woman. He tracked them to Mawurrji where he killed them with a
stone axe. Their bodies are now rocks at this place. Warlpiri
people perform a young men’s initiation ceremony, which involves the
Janganpa Jukurrpa. The Janganpa Jukurrpa belongs to Jakamarra/Jupurrurla
men and Nakamarra/Napurrurla women. In Warlpiri paintings traditional
iconography is used to represent this Jukurrpa. ‘Janganpa’ tracks are
often represented as 'E' shaped figures and concentric circles are used
to depict the trees in which the ‘janganpa’ live, and also the sites at
Mawurrji.