Mamaragan facts for kids

Mamaragan, also known as Namarrkon, is an important spirit in the traditional stories of the Aboriginal people from Australia. Specifically, the Kunwinjku people believe he is a powerful lightning spirit. He is often described as having thunder as his voice. Mamaragan rides on storm clouds and sends lightning bolts down to the Earth. It is said he lives in a puddle when not in the sky.

Mamaragan's Powers and Appearance

Mamaragan is known as the "lightning man." He is said to absorb the sun's energy, which creates bright arcs of light on his shoulders. Most of the time, people cannot see him because he lives high in the sky, riding on storm clouds.

He creates loud thunder by hitting the clouds with special stone axes. These axes are attached to his head, elbows, and knees.

Every year, Mamaragan appears during the Kunumeleng season, which is just before the big monsoon rains. He reminds people about the importance of following traditional laws. If someone breaks these laws, Mamaragan might hiss, crackle, or even strike them with his lightning.

Mamaragan and Ancient Climate Change

About 7,000 years ago, the Earth's climate changed a lot. Ice caps melted, and sea levels rose. During this time, Mamaragan created strong thunderstorms. These storms helped prepare the land for the heavy rains that the Rainbow Serpent brought during the Wet Season.

Mamaragan's Special Place

During the dry season, Mamaragan lives in a billabong, which is a waterhole, near a sacred rock called Numbuwah in Western Arnhem Land. Mamaragan's special "dreaming site" is a small part of the Arnhem Land escarpment (a long, steep slope).

This site has three rock pillars joined together. One of these pillars has a round hole near the top. This place is a few kilometers northeast of the Nourlangie Rock tourist area. It is believed that Mamaragan left one of his eyes (the hole) there to watch for the monsoon season. He also watches his estranged wife, who lives in a cave in a nearby pillar. This site is known for having some of the earliest and strongest lightning storms.

Mamaragan in Aboriginal Art

Mamaragan is often shown in the rock art of Arnhem Land. One of the most famous pictures of him is at Nourlangie Rock. Many Aboriginal artists, like Lofty Nadjamerrek, Nadjombolmi, and Mick Kubarkku, have also painted him on bark.

In these artworks, Mamaragan is shown with stone axes on his elbows or knees. Lightning often surrounds his body. Only certain artists who have the right to share this "dreaming" story are allowed to paint pictures of this powerful spirit.

Mamaragan in Popular Stories

Mamaragan has also appeared in some modern stories:

• In the DC Comics story The Darkseid War, the superhero Shazam gets his powers from six new gods. One of these gods is Mamaragan, who is revealed to be the true identity of the Wizard who first gave Shazam his powers.
• In the Japanese Manga series One Piece, a character named Kami Eneru uses an attack called Mamaragan. He uses this attack to try and destroy a place called Skypiea.