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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: 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. 

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