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Karlajarntu

Karlajarntu is a claypan and yinta (permanent spring) located northwest of Nyayartakujarra (Ngayarta Kujarra, Lake Dora), in Warnman Country. Various types of bush tucker grow abundantly in the area northwest of the spring, including wamurla (bush tomatoes), minyarra (bush onions), and yuwinyji (Woollybutt Grass). The site is also known as a good hunting area. Nearby water sources include Kukulyurru, Juntiwa and Pangkal.

Karlajarntu is also a culturally significant site; the Minyipuru (Jakulyukulyu, Seven Sisters) rested here on their long journey eastward. Minyipuru is a central Jukurrpa (Dreaming) narrative for Martu, Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people that is associated with the seasonal Pleiades star constellation. Relayed in song, dance, stories and paintings, Minyipuru serves as a creation narrative, a source of information relating to the physical properties of the land, and an embodiment of Aboriginal cultural laws. Beginning in Roebourne on the west coast of Western Australia, the story morphs in its movement eastward across the land, following a group of women as they walk, dance, and even fly from waterhole to waterhole. As they travel the women camp, sing, wash, dance and gather food, leaving markers in the landscape and creating landforms that remain to this day, such as groupings of rocks and trees, grinding stones and seeds. During the entirety of their journey the women are pursued by a lustful old man, Yurla, although interactions with other animals, groups of men, and spirit beings are also chronicled.

Name: Charleston Miller


Language: Warnman


Community: Punmu


Biography:

I was born in Port Hedland, since I was 3 I have been in Punmu. Most of my life I have been there, its my home.

I grew up watching the old ones painting my grandfather (Minyawe) and grandmother Nancy) I learned from them. 

I love painting and working out on country with KJ.


© the artist / art centre