Jampajimpa's Desert Cry (Bambi)

Just like Jampijinpa grew strong by listening to the land, following the songlines, and protecting his country in the Jukurrpa, we can all become keepers of the Tanami and the beautiful deserts of Australia.
Children and families , here's what you can do right now:
Listen to the land — Go outside, sit quietly, and notice the animals, plants, and wind. What stories does your country tell you?
Care for country — Pick up rubbish, save water, plant native trees, or learn about animals like red kangaroos, bilbies, and dingoes.
Learn Dreamtime stories — Ask elders or read books about Jukurrpa from First Nations people. Share Jampijinpa's story with your friends!
Support Warlpiri custodians — Visit websites like the Central Land Council (clc.org.au) to learn how Indigenous rangers protect the Tanami from fire and threats.
Be brave like Jampijinpa. Stand tall on your dune. The ancestors are watching, and the desert needs you!
What will YOU do today to care for country? Share your promise below!

Blues Song: "Jampijinpa's Desert Cry"
This blues song reimagines Jampijinpa's story from the Jukurrpa as a tale of loss, wandering, and hard won strength, much like classic blues narratives of hardship in the American South. The lyrics follow a traditional 12 bar blues structure, with each verse in an AAB pattern (first line repeated, third line resolving). I've written it in English with Warlpiri inspired elements woven in—terms like "Jukurrpa," "Tanami," "songlines," and animal names—to evoke the cultural transliteration. The song has four verses and a chorus, telling the arc of Jampijinpa's journey: birth and teaching, loss of his mother, lonely growth under the ancestors' guidance, and triumphant maturity amid fire and love.
Lyrics
(Verse 1 – Birth in the Dreamtime)
Born in the red sand of Tanami wide,
Born in the red sand of Tanami wide,
Napangardi teachin' me soakages, yams, and the wind's sweet ride.
(Chorus)
Oh, Jukurrpa callin', ancestors sing low,
Tanami dreamin' under stars' glow,
Jampijinpa hoppin' through fire and pain,
Keeper of the law, risin' again.
(Verse 2 – The Shadow and Loss)
Dawn sky burnin' pink, machine roar tear the quiet,
Dawn sky burnin' pink, machine roar tear the quiet,
Mother push me to mulga, her spirit fly to ancestors' firelight.
(Chorus)
Oh, Jukurrpa callin', ancestors sing low,
Tanami dreamin' under stars' glow,
Jampijinpa hoppin' through fire and pain,
Keeper of the law, risin' again.
(Verse 3 – Wandering and Learning)
Heart heavy as grindin' stone, desert sting my eyes,
Heart heavy as grindin' stone, desert sting my eyes,
Japangardi lizard whisper: "Follow songlines, country never lies."
(Chorus)
Oh, Jukurrpa callin', ancestors sing low,
Tanami dreamin' under stars' glow,
Jampijinpa hoppin' through fire and pain,
Keeper of the law, risin' again.
(Verse 4 – Fire, Love, and Strength)
Fire come ragin', sparked by shadow's hand,
Fire come ragin', sparked by shadow's hand,
With Nakamarra and friends, I lead to soakage, claim my stand.
(Outro Chorus – Fade with repetition)
Oh, Jukurrpa callin', ancestors sing low... (repeat and fade)