Yankirri Jukurrpa - Bamboo Shirt

This gorgeous bamboo shirt is light and soft, featuring art by Sabrina Nungarrayi Gibson

Yankirri Jukurrpa (Emu Dreaming) – Ngarlikirlangu

This painting depicts a ‘yankirri Jukurrpa’ (emu [Dromaius novaehollandiae] Dreaming) from a place called Ngarlikurlangu, approximately 50kms north of Yuendumu. The ‘kirda’ (owners) of this Dreaming are Nangala/Nampijinpa women and Jangala/Jampijinpa men.

This Jukurrpa tells the story of a ‘yankirri’ (emu) and a ‘wardilyka’ (bush turkey [Ardeotis australis]). ‘Yankirri’ lived at a soakage to the west called Warnirripanu (or Walangkamirirri), while ‘wardilyka’ lived at a soakage to the east called Parirri.  The emu and bush turkey used to go around the country picking ‘yakajirri’ (bush raisins [Solanum centrale]) and mashing them into ‘kapurdu’ (fruit balls) to save in their nests for later. However, they were jealous of each other; the emu thought that the bush turkey was picking the best and juiciest ‘yakajirri’, and was leaving him with only the sour ‘yakajirri’.

The emu went to the bush turkey’s nest to the east while the bush turkey was out hunting and smashed up the ‘kapurdu’ that the bush turkey had saved there. When the bush turkey returned, he found his smashed ‘yakajirri’ balls and realized that the emu had destroyed them. He went to the west to confront the emu and when he found him, they got into a big fight. The bush turkey eventually flew away to the north, leaving behind the smashed ‘yakajirri’ balls.

This practice of making ‘kapurdu’ (fruit balls) is a traditional Warlpiri method of storing ‘yakajirri’; in the old days, people used to dry the ‘yakajirri’, grind them up with a rock in a coolamon, mix them with water and form balls from them, and cover the ‘kapurdu’ with red ochre so they would keep.

Today at Ngarlikirlangu we can see round, red rocks which are the ‘kapurdu’ that the emu smashed up. There is also a dance for this ‘yankirri’ (emu) Jukurrpa that is performed during mens’ initiation ceremonies. A number of other Jukurrpa are also located at Ngarlikirlangu, including ‘wardilyka Jukurrpa’ (bush turkey Dreaming), ‘yardijiinypa Jukurrpa’ (meat ant Dreaming), and ‘pirntina Jukurrpa’ (woma or Ramsay’s python [Aspidites ramsayi] Dreaming). Lots of ‘yakajirri’ grow around the Ngarlikirlangu area today.

In contemporary Warlpiri paintings, traditional iconography can be used to represent the Jukurrpa, associated sites, and other elements. ‘Yankirri’ are usually represented by arrow-like shapes depicting their ‘wirliya’ (footprints) as they walk around.

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• Eco-friendly - one of the most positive things about bamboo is that it absorbs 35% more carbon dioxide than equivalent stands of trees. More bamboo would help to cut the globally rising levels of carbon dioxide and help in the fight against global warming. Bamboo is also biodegradable.
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• Absorbent - bamboo absorbs up to 60% more water than cotton. This makes it an excellent choice for drawing moisture off the body.
• Antibacterial – Bamboo is naturally and continuously antibacterial, staying fresh and odour free for longer.
• Breathable - the porous nature of the fibre makes it breathable and extremely comfortable against the skin.
• Thermo-regulating - keeps the wearer warm in cool weather, and cool in warm weather.
• Hypoallergenic - bamboo's organic and natural properties make it non-irritating so perfect for extra sensitive skin
• UV Protective – it cuts out 98% of harmful UV rays.
• Naturally Organic - bamboo is grown without pesticides or fertilizers. Luxuriously soft - bamboo feels like silky cashmere.
• Sustainable - Bamboo is one of the world’s fastest growing plants, growing up to a metre in a day. Bamboo is a grass, so once cut it will regenerate quickly without the need for replanting (in the same way as your garden lawn). It grows very densely and so the yield per acre is excellent in comparison to cotton.
• Eco-friendly - one of the most positive things about bamboo is that it absorbs 35% more carbon dioxide than equivalent stands of trees. More bamboo would help to cut the globally rising levels of carbon dioxide and help in the fight against global warming. Bamboo is also biodegradable.
• Comfortable and Anti-Static – Fabric made from bamboo is incredibly soft and luxurious, and has an anti-static nature, so it sits well against your skin without clinging.
• Absorbent - bamboo absorbs up to 60% more water than cotton. This makes it an excellent choice for drawing moisture off the body.
• Antibacterial – Bamboo is naturally and continuously antibacterial, staying fresh and odour free for longer.
• Breathable - the porous nature of the fibre makes it breathable and extremely comfortable against the skin.
• Thermo-regulating - keeps the wearer warm in cool weather, and cool in warm weather.
• Hypoallergenic - bamboo's organic and natural properties make it non-irritating so perfect for extra sensitive skin
• UV Protective – it cuts out 98% of harmful UV rays.