The Ancient Stories Behind Our Desert Designs
At Mainie Australia, each luxurious Merino wool scarf is more than a fashion accessory, it is a wearable piece of art that tells ancient Dreamtime stories passed down through generations.
Our collection features the works of talented Aboriginal women artists from Central Australia's remote Tanami Desert region.
These artists bring to life their cultural heritage through intricate designs, connecting the past with the present.
Night Ceremony Dreaming - Geraldine Napangardi Granites
Geraldine Napangardi Granites' Night Ceremony Dreaming depicts the sacred site of Yanjirlpiri, meaning "star" in Warlpiri.
This artwork tells of Ngalyipi, a vine gathered from the desert oak trees and used in women's ceremonies and for traditional medicinal purposes.
Geraldine’s design captures the spiritual essence of the ceremonial practices of Warlpiri women.
Rock Pools Dreaming - Joy Nangala Brown
Joy Nangala Brown draws inspiration from her Pintupi and Warlpiri heritage. Her Rock Pools Dreaming scarf illustrates the Yumari Jukurrpa, a tale of forbidden love between a man and a woman from different clan groups who met secretly at a rock formation in the desert.
It is an ancient story that has been handed down to Joy through many generations of her ancestors over tens of thousands of years.
The intricate circles in Joy’s design symbolise sacred rock formations, reflecting the deep connection between the desert landscape and its stories.
Red Earth Dreaming - Alicka Napanangka Brown
Alicka Napanangka Brown, born in 1998 in Alice Springs, is an emerging artist from Yuendumu, a small Aboriginal community located on the traditional Warlpiri homelands in the remote Tanami sesert region of Central Australia.
The Red Earth Dreaming story retells the Yarla Jukurrpa (Bush Potato Dreaming), and depicts a place where women dig for native tubers similar to potatoes and carrots.
Alicka’s original artwork depicts the traditional bush foods and the women's role in gathering them.
Red Bark Trees Dreaming - Nicole Napaljarri Stevens
Nicole Napaljarri Stevens' Red Bark Trees Dreaming portrays the Ngapa Jukurrpa, an ancient Water Dreaming story that is associated with Mikanji, an important watercourse on the Warlpiri homelands.
Nicole’s design highlights the importance of fresh water sources in the desert and the cultural practices surrounding them.
Desert Tracks Dreaming - Valma Nakamarra White
Valma Nakamarra White's Desert Tracks Dreaming illustrates the Warna Jukurrpa (Snake Dreaming), a story of the mythical serpent ancestor.
This ancestor is believed to have created the main waterways and creeks on the Warlpiri homelands. The design captures the serpent's journey and its impact on the land.
Desert Journey Dreaming - Mary Napangardi Gallagher
Mary Napangardi Gallagher was born near Papunya, an isolated community in the Central Australian desert.
Mary’s Desert Journey Dreaming design brings to life the Mina Mina Jukurrpa, an ancient Dreaming story about women travelling across the desert gathering the Ngalyipi vine to use for ceremonies and traditional medicines.
The vibrant colours captured in Mary’s original artwork reflect the rich tints and tones unique to the natural desert landscapes of her ancestral homelands.
Each scarf in our collection is ethically produced, ensuring that the artists receive royalties for their work.
By wearing a Mainie scarf, you not only embrace timeless elegance but also support the preservation of Australia’s unique 65,000-year-old Indigenous cultural heritage.
Discover the collection at www.mainie.com.au
👉 Shop the Mainie Merino wool collection
👉 Learn more about Woolmark quality
👉 Learn about the Indigenous Art Code
👉 Discover the Warlukurlangu Artists
Founded in 2012, by Gunggari Aboriginal woman, Charmaine (Mainie) Saunders, Mainie Australia is a Supply Nation Certified Indigenous Owned Business and an Indigenous Art Code Member.
