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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: Angela Lyons

Language: Ngaanyatjarra

Community: Papulankutja (Blackstone)

Biography:

Angela is one of seven siblings - six daughters - Mamie, Joy, Paula, Susan and Mildred and one son Darryl. Her parents were both Ngaanyatjarra with her mother born in Wanarn and her father in Yanka, north of Blackstone. Her mother’s maiden name was Mitchell.

Angela was born in Wingellina community, just East of Blackstone. Her and her family travelled on foot across the Ngaanyatjarra lands to visit different family members, sourcing their food from the bush along the way. They lived for periods of time in different remote communities including Warburton and Blackstone. Angela attended school in Kalgoorlie before coming back to Blackstone to live.

Angela has worked extensively as a ranger for 11 years across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands and has started painting recently at the art centre. She paints the Seven Sisters story given to her by her mother.

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