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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: Marcia Mitchell

Language: Ngaanyatjarra

Community: Papulankutja (Blackstone)

Biography:

Marcia is the daughter of Anawari Inpiti Mitchell and Winston Mitchell, two senior community members in Papulankutja who are both very active decision makers and knowledge holders. Marcia comes from a big family of artists and was influenced by her parents to begin painting herself in 2009 when the new art centre was built in Blackstone.

Marcia learnt how to paint by being around other artists at home and at the art centre. No one taught her but she picked it up intuitively. She painted 'any way', developing her own unique style. Marcia also participated in soap making projects at the art centre.

Marcia has been involved in NPY Women’s Council and attended Law & Culture Camps over the years. Since 2002 she has been active with NG Media, an Yarnangu Corporation that supports cultural performance, recording, radio, video training, production and broadcast throughout the Ngaanyatjara Lands.

Marcia has three children, Lucas (1995) and two daughters Kaytlin (1999) and Kelisha (2008). 

In 2019 Marcia started working with the NPY Youth Team program supporting young people by organising school holiday activities and sports. Her busy, active participation in other areas of community life meant she often didn't have time to paint.

When she does come in she often paints influenced by the style of her uncle Tommy Mitchell's (deceased) work. He painted the Walu Tjukurrpa, a story of two men and one boy camping at Walu Rockhole.

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