Mamu is a rockhole site southwest of Pipalyatjara, about one hour. Alkuwari was travelling with her jamu (grandson) and her grandfather (also called jamu). They made a camp with fire and big wiltja. Alkuwari was worried that her grandson was going to harm her grandfather, and she needed to go hunting. So, she hid her grandfather on top of the wiltja and went. The boy put the waru (fire) inside the wiltja and burned the grandfather. Alkuwari saw the smoke and she ran and ran to the wiltja but the grandfather had died. the jamu had run away so she went and got all her family to follow him, to kill him. They became the mamu and turned into the seven rockholes of Mamu.
Angela Watson was born in 1966 in Warburton. As a young child, Angela and her family relocated to Pipalyatjara, where she continues to live today. In the early 2000s, the first Aboriginal art studios were set up in the western region of the APY Lands. It was during this time that Angela started her arts practice. Her artworks draw influence from ‘tjukurpa’ (traditional stories), particularly those of ‘Minyma Kutjara’ (Two Women Dreaming) and the Mamu Tjukurpa (Spirits Tjukurpa). They are both important stories from her father’s country, Irrunytju, which lies just over the border from Pipalyatjara in Western Australia.
Desert Mob is presented annually in Mparntwe | Alice Springs on Arrernte Country.
On behalf of Desart’s staff and art centre members, the Executive Committee humbly and respectfully acknowledge the Arrernte Apmereke Artweye (Traditional Owners) and Kwertengerle (Traditional Managers) of Mparntwe.
Desart respectfully advises Aboriginal readers that this website may contain names, images and artworks of people who have passed away.
