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The boy who turned into wind (pirriya) at Walu rockhole

This story is about a young boy who had no parents and was neglected.

There were two men (the boy’s uncles) and one young boy camping at Walu Rockhole, an important water site in the Gibson Desert, northwest of the tri-state border between Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia. 

The men went hunting and the boy stayed behind waiting. The men returned with an emu and pulled out its heart. The boy was holding the heart and blood spilt out onto the rocks. He ran away with the heart and turned into a big whirlwind. The big whirlwind. came up and swept the families away. Today you can still see the emu’s blood trail where it stained the rocks.

Walu rock hole is a special place north of Papulankutja (Blackstone) where traditionally Yarnangu families would gather when water was available in the holes found in a flat rocky area.

Categories: Papulankutja Artists

Name: Maimie Nginytja Butler


Language: Ngaanyatjarra


Community: Papulankutja (Blackstone)


Biography:

Maimie was born just outside of Mantamaru (Jameson) and grew up in Papulankuta (Blackstone). She is the eldest of seven siblings. She spent much of her childhood in the Benson camp with Kantjupayi Benson. Later she went with the Benson family to Warburton. Maimie is a member of the Mitchell family who are custodians of the country that lies north of Papulankutja along the Walu road. It is a place of many stories and important cultural places. Mamie married Mark Butler from Tjukurla and spends time travelling extensively throughout the Ngaanyatjarra Lands to visit family, for cultural events and bush trips.

Maimie has fulfilled many leadership roles including as Papulankutja Artists Chairperson, Chairperson and member of the Board of Directors for NPY Women’s Council and Deputy Chairperson, Blackstone Community Council. She has worked with Utikulintja at NPY Womens Council Mental Health.

Over the years she has worked in education, health, the community store and the art centre.

She is responsible for maintaining many songlines and has a number of Tjukurrpa (dreaming stories) she depicts in her paintings including the perentie and echidna Tjukurrpa. 


© the artist / art centre