My name Mayiwalku. I’m pujiman [nomadic desert dweller]. I had no clothes, nothing. Me Karimarra [skin group]. My daughter Milangka, mummy Milangka, daddy Purungu. I was born long way away, Ngarurr I been born. He been coming back with me, mummy and daddy. He been bringing little one: me. He been walk around, go round. Walking, walking with me. Me baby, eating sand! [laughs] My daddy [motions her father hitting her hand]. I been big one [the eldest child].
Maywokka (Mayiwalku) was born in the desert at Ngarurr soak in the 1940s. She is the eldest sister of fellow artists Nyanjilpayi (Ngarnjapayi) Nancy Chapman, Mulyatingki Marney and Marjorie Yates (dec.). From childhood to young adulthood, Mayiwalku travelled through her parents’ Country with their family. This region encompassed the areas surrounding Punmu, Karlamilyi River and Kunawarritji. Following the death of their parents, the sisters continued to travel in the desert alone, though at times they would meet and travel with other family groups.