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Kipara (Australian bustard, bush turkey)

Kipara (Australian Bustard, bush turkey) are ground-dwelling, large, speckled grey-brown birds found in the plains of the Western Desert and across northern Australia. Kipara fly long distances in the search of food, and were once widespread among the plains of Australia. However, following colonisation they have become increasingly rare. Kipara often travel in groups, and walk slowly, picking at food such as jinyjiwirrily (wild gooseberry, desert raisin), and are usually found at twilight and after dark. 

Kipara are known by Martu to be attracted to burn areas in the nyurnma (freshly burnt) and waru-waru (green shoots and young plants are sprouting from burnt areas) stages. Traditionally, kipara were stalked and then wounded whilst taking off using a karli (boomerang). Today, kipara are generally hunted with rifles from vehicles, enabling a close range approach. 

During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) period, Martu would traverse very large distances annually in small family groups, moving seasonally from water source to water source, and hunting and gathering bush tucker as they went. Whilst desert life has moved away from mobile hunter-gatherer subsistence throughout the course of the twentieth century, bush tucker continues to be a significant component of the modern Martu diet. Hunting and gathering bush tucker remains equally valuable as an important cultural practice that is passed on intergenerationally. Though hunting and gathering implements have been modernised, methods of harvesting, tracking and the use of fire burning to drive animals from their retreats are still commonly practiced today. 

Categories: Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

Name: Alysha Taylor

Language: Warnman

Biography:

"My name is Alysha Taylor. I am one of the Martumili workers. I have been working at Martumili for two years now. Yeah I love working with the old people. Some of the workers will mix paint or do some stretching, making lunch for the old people. This makes me feel happy inside.

I was born in Broome but grew up in Parnngurr and Bidyadanga. My mum’s side of the family is down at Bidyadanga, and my dad’s side of the family is at Parnngurr. I would travel back and forth between Parnngurr and Bidyadanga to see my family. I did my schooling in those communities, and also in Port Hedland. Then we moved down to Perth where I went to Mirrabooka Senior High.

I like to go travelling to have fun, doing crazy things like skydiving and bungee jumping! I like to go out to communities to see my family, visit them. I used to help my grandfather and grandmother, Kanu (Karnu Taylor (dec.)) and Wokka Taylor do painting and learn from them."

- Alysha Taylor

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© the artist / art centre