Jarntu kuja kalu nyinami Yurntumnu (Dogs that live in Yuendumu)

A colourful and fun portrait of a dog by Senita Napangardi Granites.

This painting depicts a ‘jarntu’ or ‘maliki’ (dogs) that lives in Yuendumu. Families in Yuendumu tend to own many dogs. They are good ‘marlpa’ (company). Many people think of their dogs as ‘warlalja’ (family). Dogs in Yuendumu like to follow their owners around whenever they can. Some people use their dogs to help them hunt ‘marlu’ (kangaroo) and ‘wardapi’ (goanna), among other animals. People also have dogs to protect themselves from intruders, spirits, and other things that might try to hurt them and their family. Many spirits are invisible to ‘yapa’ (Aboriginal people). However, dogs are able to see and smell them. Dogs will warn ‘yapa’ about them or steer them away from the spirits, and thereby keep them safe.