The four colour groups
Four Colour Groups
In the first Milpirri (2005) the allocation of four colours were given to the sixteen Warlpiri skin names allowing a visible way of showing kinship relationships. Red (Jupurrula, Jakamarra, Napurrula, Nakamarra), Yellow (Japaljarri, Jungarrayi, Napaljarri, Nungarrayi), Green (Japangardi, Japanangka, Napangardi, Napanangka) and Blue (Jangala, Jampijinpa, Nangala, Nampijinpa). The colour groups are seen in the banners and the Milpirri performers are dressed in one of the four colours in accordance to their kinship relationship, along with their corresponding coloured wristbands.
In Lajamanu School assemblies the students are sat in their colour groups and their school shirts, worn by staff and students are in the four colours. It begun as a way to illustrate how we are connected, a visible sense of belonging and now the colour system has become commonplace within the Lajamanu Community.
Colour groups' connection to elements
The colour groups have been developed by Steve Jampijinpa Patrick out of his searching of knowledge within Warlpiri culture. He believes that this knowledge is global knowledge and relevant to us all. To be bilingual is more than teaching language, this is not enough. To be bilingual is to see Walparri in everything that surrounds us.
Below is how Jampijinpa sees the colour groups' connection to the Skin Groups, Cardinal Directions, Seasons, Elements, Stars of the Southern Cross, and the Sky or Earth. The "N" names are female and the "J" names are male
Red - Napurrula, Jupurrula - South - Dry (flying emu) - Wind - Top Star - Sky
Red - Nakamarra, Jakamarra - South - Dry (flying emu) - Wind - Top Star - Earth
Yellow - Naplajarri, Japaljarri - West - Hot (exhausted emu) - Fire - West Star - Sky
Yellow - Nungarrayi, Jungarrayi - West - Hot (exhausted emu) - Fire - West Star - Earth
Blue - Nangala, Jangala - North - Wet (sleeping/dead emu) - Water - Bottom Star - Sky
Blue - Nampijinpa, Jampijinpa - North - Wet (sleeping/dead emu) - Water - Bottom Star - Earth
Green - Napanagardi, Japangardi - East - Cool (waking emu) - Earth - East Star - Sky
Green - Napanagka, Japanangka - East - Cool (waking emu) - Earth - East Star - Sky
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