Healing Ground Connections

“WILKURR – WOMEN’S CEREMONY”

This painting tells the story of the women’s ceremony at Antara. The women are sitting around the waterhole talking about men’s business, ceremonies and things that are important to them. The U shapes are the women sitting down, and the circles are their coolamons. This is a very old story, that has been handed down through generations.

Antara is a very special place for Anangu women and is located near Mimili in the APY Lands. During inma (ceremony), the women re-enact the journeys of their ancestors, painting their bodies with sacred designs and singing the ancient songs of the tjukurpa (dreaming stories). The designs painted on their bodies are the same as those used in the painting. These designs tell the story of the land and the ancestors who travelled across it.

Antara is a very spiritual place, and Anangu women have a strong responsibility to look after it. They pass on the knowledge of the place through ceremony, dance, song and painting. This is how they keep their culture strong.