Frida Bag – Wardapi (Goanna)

Details:
h: 35 cm (14 inch)
w: 40 cm (16 inch)
d: 11 cm (4.5 inch)

Fabric and color: as shown

Features:

• Zip closure
• Fully lined
• Internal pockets (one with zip)
• Can hold itself upright
• Handles securely attached
• Can hold a 13 inch laptop and A4 files easily
• Gusset at the base
• Limited edition
• Fabric design story supplied with each bag
• Fabric sourced in Australia
• Made by Happy Silk/Women For Women Foundation

How was it made?

Purchasing items made from licensed fabric designs supports Aboriginal artists (who get a royalty) and their art centres.
Note: The placement of the fabric design is unique and special on every bag

Our Frida bags are made with care by Women for Women, our partner foundation based in Cambodia. Women for Women prides itself in providing opportunities and skills that empower Cambodian women and girls to be leaders in their community. It also focuses on employing disabled women.
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The artist: Ruth Nungarrayi Spencer.

The design: Wardapi Jukurrpa (Goanna Ancestral Creation Story)
Story: “This painting depicts a ‘wardapi Jukurrpa’ (sand monitor/goanna [Varanus gouldii] Dreaming). This dramatic Jukurrpa travels between Purturlu (Mount Theo), approximately 150kms north-northwest of Yuendumu, and Yarripilangu (Newhaven), which is approximately 100kms southwest of Yuendumu. This painting focuses on the portion of the Jukurrpa that takes place at Yarripilangu, which is owned by Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women and Japaljarri/Jungarrayi men.

A Japangardi man lived at Jarrardajarrayi near a soakage called Juntangkalpa. He travelled south to Yarripilangu and approached a group of ‘karnta’ (women) that were sitting down in a circle there. He wanted to woo a Nungarrayi woman named Yurlkurinyi who was the wrong skin for him. By tribal law, this woman was his mother-inlaw and their relationship would be taboo.

The Japangardi man wooed the Nungarrayi woman and they went up the hill at Yarripilangu where they made love. The earth there turned to ‘ngunjungunju’ (white ochre) and the man turned himself and all the ‘karnta’ (women) into ‘wardapi’ (goannas). The Japangardi man eventually brought the Nungarrayi woman back to Purturlu to live, even though they were the wrong skin for each other.

White ochre is still found on top of the hill at Yarripilangu and is used today for love magic and for ceremonial decoration. There’s also a cave where you can see the shape of a goanna entering. There are beautiful groundwater springs on the east side of the Yarripilangu hill. A number of important Jukurrpa associated with men’s’ initiation ceremonies pass through Yarripilangu – these include ‘karnta Jukurrpa’ (women’s’ Dreaming), ‘ngalyipi Jukurrpa’ (snake vine [Tinospora smilacina] Dreaming), ‘wati-jarra Jukurrpa’ (two men Dreaming), and ‘witi Jukurrpa’ (ceremonial pole Dreaming).
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Warlukurlangu Artists is a non-profit, fully Aboriginal owned arts corporation located Yuendumu in remote Central Australia.
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Visit Warlukurlangu Artists online store to see their incredible range of paintings and more.