Gordon Barunga Australian, Worrorra, b. 1961
Wanalirri & Ungud (cloud and rain spirit Ngarinyin & totem), 2023
acrylic on canvas
80 x 60 cm
23-0180
Wanalirri is the main Wandjina for Ngarinyin people. His sites are up the Gibb River Road. Dumbi is a barn owl which resides in Ngarinyin country. A boy and a...
Wanalirri is the main Wandjina for Ngarinyin people. His sites are up the Gibb River Road. Dumbi is a barn owl which resides in
Ngarinyin country. A boy and a girl teased Dumbi and plucked out his feathers. He then flew to the Wandjina Wodjin who said he
would create a large flood to punish the tribe from where the boy and girl came. At a place called Wanalirri, the Wandjina gathered a large flock of brolgas which stomped on a huge black soil plain to create quicksand. The flood came and drowned many people; those who tried to escape were lost in the quicksand. The boy and girl were safe because they were on high ground. They were taken there by a kangaroo, and they traveled on its tail. The Ungud snake is the one that made the rivers and holds water. If they are disturbed then they will kill whoever disturbs them.
Ngarinyin country. A boy and a girl teased Dumbi and plucked out his feathers. He then flew to the Wandjina Wodjin who said he
would create a large flood to punish the tribe from where the boy and girl came. At a place called Wanalirri, the Wandjina gathered a large flock of brolgas which stomped on a huge black soil plain to create quicksand. The flood came and drowned many people; those who tried to escape were lost in the quicksand. The boy and girl were safe because they were on high ground. They were taken there by a kangaroo, and they traveled on its tail. The Ungud snake is the one that made the rivers and holds water. If they are disturbed then they will kill whoever disturbs them.