Kunmanara (Wawiriya) Burton Ngayuku ngura (my country)

Kunmanara (Wawiriya) Burton was a senior woman from Amata in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in South Australia. In this painting, she tells the story of her father’s country near Pipalyatjara, west of Amata. It depicts minyma mingkiri tjuta (small female desert mice). The mingkiri are pregnant and give birth to many babies. They then journey to the surrounding rock holes in search of food and water for their young. The dotted lines are mingkiri tracks.

Kunmanara (Wawiriya) Burton said: ‘A long time ago, when we were little children, we ran around Puta Puta and Ilitjata, our grandfather’s and father’s ground, and because of this we grew up strong. Why? Because it’s Aṉangu country – Aboriginal people’s Country – of their spirit.’

Tjala Arts, Amata 2021