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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: Maureen Douglas

Language: Pitjantjatjara

Community: Amata

Biography:

Maureen Douglas was born in 1966 and is a senior Pitjantjatjara artist known for her powerful paintings and intricate woven baskets. Originally born in Amoonguna and raised in Warburton, Maureen has lived across several communities, including Papulankutja and Amata, where she developed her skills in batik and painting. She is a longstanding member of Tjala Arts, where she paints Anumara Tjukurpa (Caterpillar Dreaming), her father’s Country. While Maureen now lives in Amata, her deep connection to her mother’s Country brings her to Papulankutja (Blackstone), where she paints the Kungkarrangkalpa (Seven Sisters) Tjukurpa connected to Kuru Ala, a significant women's site for which her mother, Angilyiya Mitchell, is a Traditional Owner. During her time in Blackstone, Maureen has been painting this important story alongside her mother, continuing the intergenerational sharing of knowledge and women’s cultural law.

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