Deutscher and Hackett

This art work is accompanied by certificate of authenticity from Buku-Larrngay Mulka Arts which states in part: 'Nyapilingu is a spirit woman who lived in Wangarr times, the Dreaming. Nyapilingu set out from Ambakamba (Groote Eylandt) in a paperbark canoe and travelled across to the mainland and then north and west as far as the central Arnhem Land coast. Wherever she went she marked the country with her activities. She is remembered by the people at these sites, who sing and dance her story. Nyapilingu gave important culture to the people whose country she passed through. ... In her travels through Manggalili country, Nyapilingu travelled with Marrngu (possum) and with Guwak (nightbird) making Manggalili totems, giving the people sacred objects and ceremony, and using Wapitja, her digging stick, for stripping bark from trees and making Manggalili water holes - as she plunged her Wapitja into the ground, water would spring up. ... (She carried on her head) wutjumungu (container) with munydjutj (wild plums). Or she used to collect mendun, snails, big ones ... ga yoku (lily bulbs) ga gapu gama (and carry water) ... her dilly bag, she can put it on her head or also this one (wutjumungu) on top of her head ...'