44 AM 5595/08
Betsy Napangardi Lewis Mina Mina Jukurrpa - Mina Mina Dreaming 2006
Acrylic on Belgian linen 1220 x 1220mm $7000
The country associated with this painting is Mina Mina, a place far west of Yuendumu, significant to
Napangardi and Napanangka women who are the custodians of the Dreaming that created the area. The
Dreaming describes the journey of a group of women of all ages who travelled east gathering food, collecting
Ngalyipi (Tinospora smilacina or snake vine) 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. Their journey took them eventually beyond Warlpiri
country. The central motif in this painting is Ngalyipi, snake vine, which grows along the trunks and boughs of
desert oak. Ngalyipi is a vine sacred to Napangardi and Napanangka women and has many uses. It is used as a
ceremonial wrap, as a strap to carry parrajas laden with bush tucker and as a tourniquet for headaches.