Details of Namarrkon the Lightning Spirit

Catalog Number : 3296
Size : 88cm x 28cm x 3.5cm
Medium : natural earth pigment on bark
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Namarden or namarrkon are Eastern Kunwinjku names for the Lightning Spirit. This entity, which is responsible for lightning and thunder, is painted on both stone and bark in a form described as 'like a grasshopper'. Namarrkon is said to have made Ngaldjurr - Leichardt's or the spectacular grasshopper the species emerges, mates and is most active and visible in the season known as Kunemeleng, between oct and dec when there are intense electrical storms. Ngaldjurr is then said to be looking for Namarrkon. Namarrkon makes lightning and thunder by striking out with kurlbburru - stone axes which protrude from its joints. Today, the kuninjku will not leave axes lyinh about in the open during an electrical storm as the axes act as an attraction to the destructive force of Namarrkon. The lines emananting from Namarrkon's head are said to be mardo or lightning bolts of power.