114182177825

Published by CompNet Systems on

Kungkarrangkalpa (Seven Sisters)

‘Kungkarrangkalpa’ (The Seven Sisters or Pleaides) is significant Tjukurrpa (dreamtime). Its origins you may be familiar with in astronomy and its connection to ‘Wati Nyiru’ (Magic Man or Orion).  The roots of this dreaming stems across indigenous groups around the world. The Australian Aboriginal songline is one part to the whole dreaming which can be traced all around the world. The ladies of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands depict their significant chapter and understanding of the journey of the sisters. The different versions of this story depend on where you live and the significance’s of local Tjukurrpa places.

Nyiru fell in love with the sisters but he was of the wrong skin group to marry, but he still pursued them on their journey. The sisters travel across the land to escape Nyiru’s unwanted attentions, but he is persistent and always finds them. There are significant land forms which can be sited today that evidence this dreaming. As Nyiru is chasing the sisters he tries to catch them by using magic to turn into the most tempting kampurarrpa (bush tomato) and the most beautiful Yirli (wild fig tree), for them to eat and camp under. However, the sisters are knowledgeable of his magic and too clever for Nyiru who they outwit again and again. They go hungry and run through the night rather than be caught by him. As the journey continues, Nyiru gets so frustrated at the wit of the sisters that he uses his magic to make the oldest sister sick to try and get closer to her. The other sisters rescue the big sister and nurse her back to health. It is said he also captures the youngest sister, but with the help of the oldest sister, she escapes back to her sisters who are waiting for her. Eventually, the sisters fly into the sky to escape Nyiru, forming the constellation. Nyiru felt lonely, longing for the sisters who were so far away. Nyiru used his magic to go to the sky, forever in pursuit.

Categories: Papulankutja Artists

Name: Mildred (Megan) Nyunkiya Lyons

Language: Ngaanyatjarra

Community: Papulankutja (Blackstone)

Biography:

Mildred was one of seven siblings, six daughters - Mamie, Joy, Paula, Susan and Angela and one son Darryl. Her parents were both Ngaanyatjarra with her mother born in Wannan and her father in Yanka, north of Blackstone. Her mother’s maiden name was Mitchell.

Mildred and her siblings were either born in Kalgoorlie, Wingellina (Irrunytju) or Warburton. They travelled on foot ‘up and down this country’, sourcing their food from the bush along the way. They lived for periods of time in different remote communities including Warburton and Blackstone.

During her childhood her family travelled throughout the Ngaanyatjara and Anangu Pitjantjatjarra, Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands visiting relatives and maintaining cultural obligations. Her mother, Edith Lyons, (a highly regarded painter) taught Mildred Ngaanyatjarra heritage, law and culture. She attended school in Warburton and Mantamaru before moving to Blackstone school in Papulankutja where she learnt to speak English. 

When Mildred was young she loved to go walking with the other girls in the bush looking for honey ants and yellow berries. She loved being out bush, just walking around her country. Her mother was the same. She would walk her way across country, frightened of cars.

Mildred has 3 children, two of which live in Blackstone with her. 

Mildred began painting after spending time in the Papulankutja Arts Centre as an artsworker, helping to take photos of paintings and keep the art centre clean when she was younger. 

Mildred paints with her sisters Joy and Paula Lyons, and occasionally Angela as well. Often at least 3 of the Lyons sisters are painting away at the art centre together.

Related Posts

Papulankutja Artists

114182370139

Wati Kutjarra This is the story of two powerful magicians who came to the Ngaanyatjarra Lands from far away to the west; ‘These two men are always together, always camping together. They do all sorts Read more…

Papulankutja Artists

114182370135

Kungkarrangkalpa (Seven Sisters) ‘Kungkarrangkalpa’ (The Seven Sisters or Pleaides) is significant Tjukurrpa (dreamtime). Its origins you may be familiar with in astronomy and its connection to ‘Wati Nyiru’ (Magic Man or Orion).  The roots of Read more…

Papulankutja Artists

114182370132

Kungkarrangkalpa Indulrungkalpa (seven sisters, Bush medicine) – Anawari Mitchell In Kungkarrangkalpa Indulrungkalpa (Seven Sisters Bush Medicine) Anawari intertwines the Seven Sisters narrative with the art of making bush medicine. Depicting special leaves and shrubs with Read more…

© the artist / art centre