Mitika

Mitjika is a large water hole located to the North of Warburton in the Gibson desert and it is where the two Tjitjarri Carpet Snakes were carrying a great head ring, or ‘Mangurri’. Aboriginal people used these Mangurri to carry things from place to place, and they were essentially soft rings put on the head to balance heavy loads. The two Carpet Snakes had a highly sacred object hidden in the head ring, which they intended to conceal at Mitjika. As they approached they saw the Nyi Nyi Mythic Zebra Finch people coming, and the snakes became alarmed. They called out to the Nyi Nyi, asking if they were coming to steal the head ring and it’s precious contents. But the Nyi Nyi said no, they were simply passing through the area on their journey across the desert, which they did. The Snakes made the water hole and buried the sacred object deep within it; they placed the head ring beside the water where it can be seen as a great stone. The painting shows the two Mythic Pythons and the stripes of the Zebra Finch. Also shown are ‘Kunatja’, white hot mythic hailstones.