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Tjukuḻa – Waterholes Makinti’s Story

A long time ago when I was about ten years old I went with my mum and dad to visit family at Areyonga in the Northern Territory.  We travelled back to Ernabella, walking with two donkeys and blankets (not swags) for about three weeks.

We arrived near Mulga Park and I remember we came along a short cut from Mulga Park to the New Well area, Mum and Dad knew the place. It was getting dark and they knew there was a rock hole in some low rocks in the middle of the trees.

My aunty Niningka was also with us and they knew that place. There was a rock with many holes, all full of water. We got there at about 10pm and Mum and Dad lit the fire. I was only a little girl. I went with the billycan to find the water. My mum had a cup and we got the water.

We stayed over night and the next day we travelled to New Well, Young’s Well and all the way to Ernabella. I always remember this special place.

Tjakura Tjukurpa – Lexie’s Story

This Tjukurpa is from Lexie’s grandfather’s homeland called Kunytjanu, located just south of Pipalyatjara near the SA border with WA. It’s a story about tjakura, the great desert skink, a small orange lizard found across the APY Lands. 

 Tjakura has a lot of grandchildren looking after him. One day, a long time ago, he saw too many strangers, an army coming from Mutitjulu. They came and found the tjakura and they killed him. All the kids made a cemetery there for the tjakura. This is a really big story that goes from Kunytjanu to Aralya.

Minyma Kutjara

There is a story of deep significance to women which contains metaphorical references to female cycles. It tells of two women travelling north. The pair meet with a group of women, including Kutungu, who are caring for a man who then passes away. They then travel to the area known as Mantaruta, near Uluru, where they chase a curious wanampi (serpent) deep into the ground while trying to catch him. They burn their body hair to attract him and hit him on the head and run away. From afar they throw a manguri/traditional head-ring for carrying which also hits him. He then comes and hits the women who travel on bleeding and hurt.

Margaret’s Father’s Country

My father’s place is Mt. Liebe, sandhill country.  The Wanapi rests there under the surface of the creek.  When we go to visit that country, the Wanapi stirs underneath the ground and bubbles rise up in the water.  He is there to protect that place.  We speak to that Wanapi in our language and he knows then that it is us. It’s okay for us to be there and the bubbles settle back down.  Close to this creek is where the Arkaryi women are sitting.  This is an important women’s site.  I can’t speak too much about that, as it would be dangerous to disturb those women.