Namarrkon the spirit

Namarrkon is the lightning spirit, the source of the fierce tropical storms in Western Arnhem Land during the wet season. During the dry season, he lives in a billabong not far from Numbuwah, a sacred rock in Western Arnhem Land. He only ventures out occasionally to hunt for food around his lagoon. In the wet season, Namarrkon lives among the storm clouds. He sits in the clouds looking down and watching the people below. This is the time he gets angry and creates flashes of lightning, loud thunder and then torrential rain. From late October his thunder signals bush food is ready to harvest. This is the start of the ‘build-up’ season before the proper rains come.

Namarrkon’s presence gets stronger through the wet season. In January and February Namarrkon strikes trees and splits them with his axes – causing lightning. His presence and hence the monsoon season subsides in early March. Namarrkon’s body is like a praying mantis. He makes lightning flashes with lightning rods that go around his body. These flashes extend from his ears to his genitals. No one ventures near this lagoon or touches the bush food near Namarrkon’s camp. He remains undisturbed and happy and only growls in his ‘thunder voice’ if someone comes too close. Namarrkon is also described in song and dance.