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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: Roseanne Porter

Language: Ngarnijarra

Community: Blackstone

Biography:

Roseanne Porter, born in Alice Springs in 1989, is an emerging artist with deep ties to the Western Desert communities. Raised in Warburton, where her parents still live, Roseanne’s artistic practice is deeply influenced by her family heritage and cultural traditions.

A mother to her son, Roseanne draws inspiration from her grandmother, Julie Porter, a respected senior law woman. Julie’s wisdom and cultural teachings are integral to Roseanne’s work, which features traditional Western Desert styles of dot and line work.

Roseanne belongs to the Pitjantjatjara and Ngaanyatjara language groups. Her art reflects these cultural roots, using traditional techniques to tell stories and depict landscapes associated with her ancestors. Her practice continues a family tradition of artistic excellence and cultural leadership.

Roseanne’s relatives include renowned artist and community leader Julie Porter, known for her contributions to Aboriginal culture through painting, weaving, and dance, and internationally recognized Rosemary Tjawina Porter, celebrated for her basket weaving, carving, and painting.

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