Aboriginal Painting - Yam Dreaming

Aboriginal Painting Title: Yam Dreaming
Aboriginal Artist: Michael Hayes Jungala
Size: 88 x 54 cm Unframed
Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Authenticity:
COA and pictures of the artist holding and signing their work will be provided.

Story:

The Yam Dreaming narratives of Central and Western Deserts highlight the vital role this food source played in the lives of traditional Aboriginal people. Celebrated in ceremonies through song cycles and dance performances, the Yam is honoured by Alyawarre women for its life-giving role, ensuring good harvests and the well-being of their Country.

Alyawarre and Warlpiri Celebrations

Alyawarre women pay homage to the Yam, symbolizing the synergy between the land and its people. The Warlpiri people celebrate the Creation stories of the Yam, where Ancestors unearthed it from an underground spring in the Tanami Desert. The Jukurrpa Dreaming story tells of local warfare over yam ownership, emphasizing the dire consequences of inequitable food distribution.

Messages of Sustainability and Harmony

Central to these ceremonies is the message of sustainability and social harmony. Proper management of Yam resources, which were sown and harvested across Central and Western Australia, promotes abundance and unity. Large gatherings for ceremonies and Law business highlight the critical issue of finding enough food in the desert.

Dreaming Stories and Cultural Lessons

Dreaming (Jukurrpa) Stories related to the Bush Yam focus on its propagation and the traditional obligations to share food fairly. The Warlpiri Creation story from the Yumurrpa site exemplifies this. Ancestors of the Yarla (large Bush Yam) and Wapirti (white Yam) fought over the site’s resources, teaching a lesson in fair distribution to prevent conflict and ensure societal stability.

Artistic Depictions of Yam Dreaming

Lorna Napurrula Fencer and other artists have created remarkable Warlpiri paintings depicting the Dreaming origins of Yarla and Wapirti Yam stories. These artworks show the vine-like leaves of the Yarla plant, symbolizing the interconnectedness of the Bush Yam. The colours reflect different seasons, with vivid hues representing the changing landscape. Lorna Fencer's works also depict the Wapirti White Yam and the water source at Yumurrpa, illustrating the Big Yam conflict.

Ceremonial Links in Utopia Homelands

In the Utopia Homelands, artists like Emily Kngwarreye, Galya Pwerle, Anna Petyarre, Gloria Petyarre, Jeannie Mills Pwerle, and Rosemary Petyarre highlight the ceremonial links of the Anmatyerre people to the Yam. Their unique styles celebrate the fertility of the Yam plant and its significance in women’s ceremonies. These paintings, depicting the Yam Seed and Yam Flower, promote the abundance of the Yam and reflect the cultural heritage of the region.