Johnny Yungut Tjupurrula 1930
Pintupi
Papunya Tula Artists
Papunya, Tula,
Western Desert region,
Northern Territory
Marrapinti
Geographical place-name
Acrylic on canvas
This painting depicts designs associated with the Rockhole and soakage water site of Marrapinti, to the west of the Pollock Hills in Western Australia. In ancestral times a group of Tingari men travelled to Marrapinti. At this site the nose bones known as Marrapinti are made.
These nose bones are worn through a hole made in the nose web and were originally used by both men and women. They are now only inserted by the older generation on ceremonial occasions. Since events associated with the Tingari Cycle are of a secret nature no further detail was given.
Generally, the Tingari are a group of ancestral beings of the Dreaming who travelled over vast stretches of the country, performing rituals and creating and shaping particular sites. The Tingari men were usually followed by Tingari women and were accompanied by novices, and their travels and adventures are enshrined in a number of song cycles.
These ancestral stories form part of the teachings of the post initiatory youths today as well as providing explanations for contemporary customs.
