AustLit

'Translator's note:

Tiger Japaljarri's account of the dreaming of the two snakes is also an account of another very important Warlpiri jukurrpa, that of the women ... The me's battle is followed by the initiation ceremony, which, although it seems to be another very masculine affair, has women as some of the crucial functionaries ... It is unsusual to find an encounter between men and women in Warlpiri narratives which ends to the advantage of women ... However the field of activity is sexual, rather then territorial or ceremonial; the time honoured practice around the world of using comedy to confront male fear of female sexuality and power finds its place in Japaljarri's gallant and witty salute to the women's dominion.'

(Source: Warlpiri Dreamings and Histories, 1994, p. 147)