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Jila-Jila

Jila-jila is one of several soaks located close to Punmu Aboriginal Community, and on the eastern edge of Kumpupirntily (Kumpupintily, Lake Disappointment). Extensive permanent tali (sandhills) surround this soak. Jila-jila is also a popular area for collecting minyarra (bush onion). Minyarra (bush onion) are a favoured bush tucker amongst the Martu, popular for their sweet, nutty taste and for the relative ease with which they are foraged. Typically, minyarra is collected in large quantities close to springs, and then shared and eaten over the following days. The minyarra plant is small and grass like, with edible tubers at the root. They can be eaten raw or cooked, and are harvested by first loosening the soil at their base with a pounding stone, and then pulling out the plant. 

During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) period, Martu would traverse very large distances annually in small family groups, moving seasonally from water source to water source, and hunting and gathering bush tucker as they went. Whilst desert life has moved away from mobile hunter-gatherer subsistence throughout the course of the twentieth century, bush tucker continues to be a significant component of the modern Martu diet. Hunting and gathering bush tucker remains equally valuable as an important cultural practice that is passed on intergenerationally.

Categories: Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

Name: Marianne Burton

Language: Manyjilyjarra

Community: Punmu

Biography:

“I was born in Jigalong, long time [ago in] Jigalong. The old people all got picked up and brought into Jigalong. Them old people all wanted to go back to the desert. We moved to Camp 61 [Ngalkuninya] for a little while and then we all moved this way to Punmu. I was young, thirteen or something when I came to Punmu.   

I like to paint around Punmu rockholes, springs.  In the morning, sunset colours, that’s what I’m thinking about. In the plane looking down, I want to do a painting what I’m looking at, it looks nice. I want to do more painting like that. I like painting, it makes me feel good.

I’ve been in Jigalong with my father, learning to paint. I was watching him paint. I stayed with them all day, sometimes I help[ed] him and he told stories. Doing the dot paint, that’s when I learn[ed] on a little canvas.”

- Marianne Burton

 

Marianne was born in Jigalong, moving briefly to Camp 61, an outstation on Bilanooka Station as a child, before settling in Punmu Community, where she still resides. Her father was senior Martu artist Pukina Burton. Marianne and her father used to sit down together, painting while Pukina told stories about his Country. One day Marianne would like to teach her children and grandchildren the same stories. “Me and [my granddaughter] Azaniah like painting together, sometimes she helps me too.  Sometimes my grandson Jake too, he did a couple.  I like having my family around to paint.” 

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