Women's Dreaming Pendant

The artwork is by Australian Indigenous artist Dorothy Napangardi. The country associated with this Jukurrpa is Mina Mina, a place far to the west of Yuendumu, which is significant to Napangardi/Japanangka men. All of them are custodians of the Jukurrpa that created that area. The Jukurrpa story tells of the journey of a group of women of all ages who traveled to the east gathering food, collecting "ngalyipi", snake vine (Tinospora Smilacina) and performing ceremonies as they traveled. The women began their journey at Mina Mina where "karlangu" digging sticks emerged from the ground. Taking these implements, the women traveled east far beyond the Walpiri boundaries creating Janyinki and other sites.

The ngalyipi vine grows up the trunks and limbs of the "kurrkara". (Allocasuarina Decaisneana desert oak trees.)

Ngalyipi is a sacred vine that has many uses. It can be used as a ceremonial wrap, as a strap to carry "parrajas" -- wooden bowls that are laden with bush tucker -- and as a tourniquet for headaches.

Created by designer Lisa Engeman, Occulture is a collaboration with Australian indigenous artisans transferring ancient stories and knowledge into contemporary statement jewelry that celebrates and strengthens the songline of culture, knowledge, artists and community. The photoanodized aluminum jewelry with sterling silver fittings is handcrafted in Australia using cutting edge technology.

Occulture is deeply honored to represent the artists they work with, the Warlukurlangu people of the Yuendumu region of the central Australian desert, Gamilaraay woman, Arkeria Rose Armstrong, and a lineage of well-known and respected artists from Utopia and Yuelumu country, including Raymond Walters Japanangka.

The jewelry designs reproduce highlights from artists' paintings. Made by hand, each piece possesses unique, intrinsic beauty with variations in shape, size, and metal finish. The jewelry translates ancient artwork into a contemporary context by utilizing cutting-edge technology to create Occulture's sculptural designs.

Occulture is a preferred supplier for the Museum Shops Australia and New Zealand and a member of the Indigenous Art Code which promotes and regulates the fair and ethical trade in works of art by Indigenous artists. All artwork featured in their jewelry is licensed and royalties are paid directly to the individual artist. Occulture also proudly holds an Australian Made license.

Each piece of Occulture jewelry is gift boxed, with a card describing the artist and the artwork.