14 AM 5917/08
Andrea Nungarrayi Martin Janganpa Jukurrpa (Brush-Tailed Possum) 2008
Acrylic on linen 1220 x 460mm SOLD
The ‘kirda’ or custodians of the Janganpa Jukurrpa (common brush-tail possum Dreaming [Trichosurus
vulpecula]) are Japaljarri/Jungarrayi men and Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women. Jupurrurla/Jakamarra men and
Nupurrurla/Nakamarra women are the ‘kurdungurlu’ (ceremonial police) of this knowledge. ‘Janganpa’ are
nocturnal animals that often nest in the hollows of white gum trees (‘wapunungka’). A common ‘janganpa’
story is about a ‘janganpa’ ancestor who travelled all over the Warlpiri lands visiting various sites during the
time of the Jukurrpa (Dreamtime), including one site called Jangankurlangu, meaning literally ‘belonging to
possum’. The ‘janganpa’ men carry their hunting weapons as they move around the country, wearing ‘majardi’
(hair string skirts). ‘Janganpa’ were once frequently found across much of Warlpiri and neighboring country but
have become extinct in recent years. It is speculated that this extinction may be due to feral cat predation and
the changes to their habitat caused by the introduction of cattle and other feral animals. The ‘janganpa’ is
considered good meat for ‘yapa’ (Warlpiri people).

In traditional Warlpiri iconography wavy lines and 'E' shapes are used to depict the tracks that the ‘janganpa’
left as he moved around.