Ninuku Tjuta

A Collection of Fine Ninuku Indigenous Art

Ninuku Tjuta

A Collection of Fine Ninuku Indigenous Art

Australian Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) artwork by JIMMY DONEGAN of Ninuku Arts. The title is Pukara. [15-201] (Acrylic on Belgian Linen) Australian Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) artwork by JIMMY DONEGAN of Ninuku Arts. The title is Pukara. [15-201] (Acrylic on Belgian Linen)
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JIMMY DONEGAN (dec)

Pukara
15-201
Acrylic on Belgian Linen
 Pukara | 15-201
Acrylic on Belgian Linen
 91 x 91cm | 35.83 x 35.83in
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This is a story about Kaliny-kalinypa (honey grevillea plant), which Anangu (the term for people in Pitjantjatjara) use as a type of bush lolly, sucking the nectar out of the plant.

In the Tjukurpa (Dreaming story), a father and son, Wati Kutjara Wanampi (two male water snakes), are living at Pukara, an important waterhole site near Irrunytju (Wingellina) in Western Australia. According to the story, Anangu tjuta (lots of people) went to that waterhole for the kapi (water), which is said to taste sweet due to the Kaliny-kalinypa found at the site. This upsets the father Wati Wanampi didn’t like this and he told them to go back to their own country. Once the people left, the father and son travel to Willuna, where they camped for weeks. They then returned to Pukara. 

One day when they were sleeping, they were awoken by a loud buzzing sound. The Minyma Punpunpa (the female flies) had been attracted to the honey grevillea plants found near the waterhole and were making lots of noise as they buzz around the honey bush. It prompted the father and son to get up and collect honey from the plants. While they were collecting, the Wati Mututa (male black ants) appeared and speared the son in his side. The young son started spitting and spits out the yellow and orange seeds of all the different varieties of honey grevillea plants that are still found at the site today. They include Kaliny-kalinypa, Ultunkunpa, Piruwa and Witjinti.

This is a story about Kaliny-kalinypa (honey grevillea plant), which Anangu (the term for people in Pitjantjatjara) use as a type of bush lolly, sucking the nectar out of the plant.

In the Tjukurpa (Dreaming story), a father and son, Wati Kutjara Wanampi (two male water snakes), are living at Pukara, an important waterhole site near Irrunytju (Wingellina) in Western Australia. According to the story, Anangu tjuta (lots of people) went to that waterhole for the kapi (water),...