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Punkulyi (McKay Ranges)

“In the Dreamtime there were two men [Wati Kujarra (Two Goanna Men)], an old man with ngarnkurrpa (beards) and his brother living there at Punkulyi. They dreaming in Parnngurr area. They yapu (hill, rock) now. They been digging for water. They dug all the parna (earth, ground) out of the ground, digging and searching for water. They got tired and stayed there. They still there.” 

 – Cyril Whyoulter

Punkulyi forms part of the Mackay Range, south west of Parnngurr community. Cyril’s grandmother and great grandmother were born around this Country, and through them this area forms part of Cyril’s ngurra (home Country, camp).

As Cyril describes, Punkulyi features as an important site in the Wati Kujarra (Two Goanna Men) Jukurrpa (Dreaming).  Wati Kujarra is a central Jukurrpa narrative for Martu. The Wati Kujarra existed as half men, half goanna. They were responsible for the creation of many land features in Martu Country, including Punkulyi, where they remain as rock forms today. Wati Kujarra is a ngurlu (sacred, taboo) men’s story, and for this reason much of the content is only shared with initiated men.

Categories: Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

Name: Cyril Whyoulter

Language: Kartujarra

Community: Parnngurr

Biography:

"My mum's father came from Kirriwirri in the North. I can paint that way too. I like painting, it's a good way to learn from old people, keep the stories going. Yunkurra (Billy Atkins (dec.)), my nyamu (grandfather), he's guiding me about what I can paint and share. My closest family is the Taylor mob; uncle Muuki, Wokka (dec.), and Ngalangka (Nola). They help me too."

- Cyril Whyoulter

Cyril's mother's and Father's country is Jartuti. He is the grandson of senior Martumili Artists Bugai Whyoulter and Pinyirr (dec.). Cyril grew up in Parnngurr and Punmu communities. He now lives with his wife and children between Perth and Newman.

Cyril first developed an interest in art making when he began colouring in pencil with his grandfather Larry Patterson. An avid experimentalist and prolific painter, he has since mastered many painting techniques and developed his own signature style in which the influence of his grandmother Bugai is evident. Cyril is respected as a learned cultural leader, and is a strong proponent of the importance of intergenerational knowledge transfer.

 

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