Djambarrpuyŋu

Djambarrpuyŋu is the name used for both a clan of the Dhuwa moiety,  and one of the languages spoken by Yolŋu in Northeast Arnhem Land. Within the Djambarrpuyŋu are numerous sub-groups which operate as separate but connected clans.

Major spiritual themes include Mäṉa, the ancestral Shark, who begins his journey in Djambarrpuyŋu lands, as well as Djarrak (the Tern) and Ḏarrpa (King Brown Snake)

Djambarrpuyŋu clan members live predominantly at Galiwin’ku and Milingimbi, with only a small number residing at Yirrkala. Many Djambarrpuyŋu bear the surname Dhamarraṉdji.

Significant Djambarrpuyŋu artists include Binyinyuwuy Djarrankuykuy and his daughter Judy Lirririnyin. Until his death in 2021, the clan was led by Colin Yerrilil Dhamarraṉdji. In Maḏayin, the Djambarrpuyŋu are represented by Ḏäṯiwuy artist Manydjarri Ganambarr, who relates to the Djambarrpuyŋu as gutharra (maternal grandchild). More recently, Milminyina Dhamarraṉdji has emerged as a significant painter at Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka. Milminyina traveled to Washington, D.C. in March 2023 for the Matha Ŋupanmi Summit.

The consulting curator for the Djambarrpuyŋu section of this project was Manydjarri Ganambarr.