78 AM 4770/06
Malcolm Jagamarra Lander River 2006
Acrylic on Italian linen 970 x 1505mm SOLD
The Lander River is 250 miles NW of Alice Springs in the Tanami Desert. It is the home of the Lander River
Warlpiri. I am Kurdungulu (policeman) for this area. From Lander River emerged many Dreamings the principal
ones being Budgerigar, Owl, Emu, and Parda Punta (Flying Ant). I have lived most of my life on this area of land
and done all my ceremonies here. I began painting this image in 2005. My family loves this image which makes
me quite proud. When the Lander River floods the Frog Dreaming emerges. It is the frog that buries itself in the
ground and only appears when it is in flood. The Budgerigar Ancestors emerged from where the fork in the river is
and spread their wings and flew all across this country. The Budgerigar Ancestors finished their ceremonies by
little soft kisses. My nieces are kirda (owners) of this site. At the fork of the river is a permanent water hole.
When it was drought times all Warlpiri people gathered here. Willowra, my community, means the site of the
first footprints. In 1979 the Lander River Warlpiri got total unalienated freehold title to this land. I will be
buried here. This is an original piece by me, Malcolm Jagamarra Maloney.