Namarrkon the Lightning Spirit
Namarden or Namarrkon are Eastern Kunwinjku are names for the Lightning Spirit. This entity, which is responsible for lightning and thunder, is painted on both stone and bark in a form described as ‘like a grasshopper’.
Namarrkon is said to have made Ngaldjurr (Leichardt’s or the spectacular grasshopper). The species emerges, mates and is most active and visible in the season known as Kunemeleng, between October and December when there are intense electrical storms. Ngaldjurr is then said to be ‘looking for’ Namarrkon.
Namarrkon makes lightning and thunder by striking out with kurlbburru (stone axes) which protrude from its joints. Today, the Kuninjku will not leave axes lying out in the open during an electrical storm as the axes act as an attraction to the destructive force of Namarrkon. The lines emanating from Namarrkon’s head are said to be mardno or lightning bolts of power.