April 2025

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.

Tjintirr- tjintirr /willy wagtail wati and kirta–kirta black -bird wife

This is the story about tjintirr- tjintirr / willy wagtail man and kirta -kirta black -bird wife.

These two husband and wife had lots of children. They made a big wiltja/ home for their family. One day big rains and wind came and washed the wiltja away. When the rain stopped they started walking, looking around for a new place to make a new wiltja on high ground. They saw a mumu / devil and all children were crying. The husband went to get his spear and sneaked up on the mumu, he put the spear through the mumu heart. 

Kuniya Tjukurpa – Wana Wipiya Wipiya

The story begins at Tjuntun Rockhole, near Fregon in South Australia. This is where the Wanapi Snake set out on its journey, moving through the land, carrying its song and its knowledge. As it travelled, it shaped the country, leaving its mark along the way.

Singing the land into being, the Wanapi Snake travelled toward a place that goes by the name of Uluru, moving along its own road, leaving eggs at Ngarutjara, a place holding deep significance. From there, the snake continued on to Piti Pulka, a great Rockhole, before making its way further north.

When it reached Atila, it paused. From here, the snake could see Uluru in the distance. It thought of family there, of kin and ancestors who had walked that land before. And so, it continued forward, until it arrived at Uluru, carrying the song, carrying the Tjukurpa.

At Wana Wipiya Wipiya, it sang again—singing of the land, of the journey, of belonging. This place, this country, is held by the family. It was given by her grandfather and uncle, passed to her mother, her unties and now to her, passed through time. The Tjukurpa remains, carried forward, alive in story, in song, and in the land itself.

Kungkarrangkalpa Indulrungkalpa (seven sisters, Bush medicine)

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 the circular technique used to skilfully brew into tea or crafted into rubbing ointment. Anawari is a custodian of Kungkarrangkalpa Tjukurrpa (dreamtime) for the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Wati Nyiru (Magic Man) fell in love with the sisters; 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, he is persistent, shape-shifting into other forms looking for the sisters. 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.