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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: Prudence Mitchell

Biography:

Prudence was born in the bush near Wingellina, 70kms from Blackstone on the Ngaanyatjarra lands. Her mother is Angilyiya Mitchell, the senior lady for Blackstone and very important knowledge keeper for her country and Tjukurrpa. 

Prudence spent her childhood in and around Blackstone and traveling between communities on the Ngaanyatjarra lands as well as camping in the bush with her family. She attended school in Blackstone and loved to learn, but especially from her family.

Prudence was very close to her grandmother Mrs. A. Brown who was a very special painter for Papulankutja Artists. Prudence learnt much of her painting skills from her grandmother and was told the stories when she was young and watching her grandmother at work. 

Prudence was Mrs. Brown's carer as she got older. She spent her time in Blackstone looking after her grandmother, taking her to the art centre and cooking up good feeds for her. 

Prudence has two sons who live in Blackstone with her. She spends a lot of her time sitting with family or going for rides across the lands. Her painting is inspired by her grandmother and she hopes to continue painting the stories passed onto her. 

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