Bessie Nakamarra Sims (1932-2012) Aboriginal Artist - Intit. “dreaming Of The Short-tailed Poss

This painting depicts the Pamapardu Jukurrpa (Flying Ant Dreaming) from Wapaurtali, west of Yuendumu. "Pamapardu" is the Warlpiri name for the flying ants or termites that buid the large anthills found throughout Waripiri country. This country belongs to Nakamarra/Napurrurla women and Jakamarra/Jupurrurla men. "Pamapardu" are flying ants. hey build earthmounds ("mingkirri") that are common in the Tanami area. When heavy rains come in summer the "mingkirri" get flooded out, so the "pamapardu" grow wings and fly off to make new homes, following their queens to dry mounds or to build a new. When they have found their new home they drop their wings. In this stage they can be collected, lightly cooked in coals and eaten. As they fall to the ground women collect therm to eat because theya are nice and sweet.
In contemporary Warripiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, particular sites and other élements. When this Jukurrpa story is painted concentric circles are used to represent the "Mingkirri" and the rockholes involed in the story, including the central one at Wapurtali ( Mt Singleton). Dashes are often depicted around the circles to represent the "Pamapardu".