Mulkun Wirrpanda - Dharranggi Miny'tji

Date of Birth - c 1940

Moiety - Dhuwa

Homeland - Dhuruputjpi

Clan - Dhudi-Djapu

Clan language - Dhuwal

This miny'tji (sacred clan design) represents Dharranggi - a freshwater plant associated with the homeland for the Dhudi Djapu and the Ancestral Shark.This shark is often referred to as Mana.

This particular ancestral shark came to Garrinyirri (near Dhuruputjpi) from an area North in Arnhem Bay when an ancestral hunter of the Yirritja moiety speared this shark, wounding him only. His name is Gundunuru.

Through a network of underwater passages this shark arrived at Garrinyirri, an area of open fresh water that can often be contaminated with salty water resulting from tidal surge. This area is vegetated with a coconut type plant called Dharranggi that has a base often covered with water. Small shark are often seen swimming around the Dharranggi. Their name is Burrutjungung.