Namarrkon (Lightning Man)

Namarrkon, the Lightning Man, is an important ancestral being in the mythology of the Kunwinjku people of Western Arnhem Land. This spirit helped create the country during the Dreamtime. Namarrkon creates thunder by throwing stone axes down onto the earth. These axes can be seen protruding from various parts of his body, particularly the joints. An arc of lightning encircles his body. Namarrkon is especially active during December, when the season of kunumeleng is characterised by spectacular pre-monsoon storms and then from January to March during kudjewk, the ‘wet’ season in northern Australia. Namarrkon is also a guardian of the laws.