Pouch Digital - 20x13cm-CVA721

NGARRINDJERI COUNTRY
When Ngurunderi travelled through what is now Ngarrindjeri Country, he journeyed down the Murray River in his canoe. At that time, it was only a small stream. Ngurunderi was searching for his two wives who had run away from him, and he followed Pondi, the great Murray Cod, who created the river’s twists and turns by sweeping his enormous tail from side to side. Throughout the journey, Ngurunderi tried to spear Pondi. Together, through this pursuit, they formed the Murray River, its lakes, landforms, and all that exists within Ngarrindjeri Country.

Ngurunderi made the rain that feeds the river and sustains the land. With the rain came the rainbow, which can be seen in this painting. He also created the Ngarrindjeri people, who live along and around the River Murray, the lakes, the Coorong region, across to Cape Jervis, and throughout the southern regions of what is now Adelaide.

Ngurunderi travelled with his family, who also played a part in shaping Ngarrindjeri Country. He taught the people their lore, dance, song, how to hunt, how to live, and everything they needed to survive in their Country.

When they reached Lake Alexandrina (Nepele), Ngurunderi’s brother-in-law helped spear and kill Pondi. Ngurunderi cut Pondi into many pieces, and each piece became a different species of fish that now populates the river system. Ngurunderi never caught his wives; they drowned while crossing to Kangaroo Island, which was still joined to the mainland at that time. At this point, Ngurunderi entered the spirit world, becoming a star in the Milky Way.