The Pitjantjatjara (;
They refer to themselves as Anangu (people). The Pitjantjatjara live mostly in the northwest of South Australia, extending across the border into the Northern Territory to just south of Lake Amadeus, and west a short distance into Western Australia. The land is an inseparable and important part of their identity, and every part of it is rich with stories and meaning to aṉangu.
Pronunciation
The
ethnonym Pitjantjatjara is usually pronounced (in normal, fast speech) with elision of one of the repeated syllables
-tja-, thus:
pitjantjara. In more careful speech all syllables will be pronounced.
Etymology
The name
Pitjantjatjara derives from the word
pitjantja, a
nominalization of the verb "go" (equivalent to the English "going" used as a noun). Combined with the
comitative suffix
-tjara, it means something like "
pitjantja-having" (i.e. the variety that uses the word
pitjantja for "going"). This distinguishes it from its near neighbour Yankunytjatjara which has
yankunytja for the same meaning. This naming strategy is also the source of the names of Ngaanyatjarra and Ngaatjatjarra but in that case the names contrast the two languages based on their words for "this" (respectively,
ngaanya and
ngaatja). The two languages Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara may be grouped together under the name Nyangatjatjara (indicating that they have
nyangatja for "this") which then contrasts them with
Ngaanyatjarra and
Ngaatjatjarra.
Language
Pitjantjatjara language is used as a general term for a number of closely related dialects which together, according to Ronald Trudinger were "spoken over a wider area of Australia than any other Aboriginal language". It shares an 80% overlap in vocabulary with
Yankunytjatjara.
Some major communities
See WARU community directory for a complete list
-
in South Australia type 2
-
in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara, including:
-
Pukatja
-
Amata
-
Kalka
-
Pipalyatjara
-
Yalata
-
Oak Valley
-
In the Northern Territory
-
Kaltukatjara
-
Areyonga
-
Mutitjulu
-
In Western Australia
-
Wingellina also called Irruntju
History
From 1950 onwards, many aṉangu were forced to leave their traditional lands due to British nuclear tests at Maralinga. Some aṉangu were subsequently contaminated by the
nuclear fallout from the
. Their experience of issues of land rights and native title in South Australia has been unique. After four years of campaigning and negotiations with government and mining groups, the
Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act 1981 was passed on 19 March 1981, granting freehold title over of land in the northwestern corner of South Australia.
Recognition of sacred sites
The sacred sites of Uluru / Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuṯa / Mount Olga possess important spiritual and ceremonial significance for the
Anangu with more than 40 named sacred sites and 11 separate
the Dreaming (or "Dreaming") tracks in the area, some of which lead as far as the sea. Uluru / Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta / Mount Olga are separated from the Pitjantjatjara lands by the border between the Northern Territory and South Australia and have become a major tourist attraction and a
national park.
Notable people
-
Gordon Briscoe, an Aboriginal scholar and activist
-
Ian Abdulla, an award-winning author and artist
-
Trevor Adamson, a country/gospel singer
-
Tiger Tjalkalyirri, an elder and guide
-
Anmanari Brown, a pioneering artist
-
Hector Burton, an artist
-
Wawiriya Burton, an artist
-
Angkaliya Curtis, an artist
-
Malpiya Davey, also known as Irpintiri Davey, an artist known for ceramic works
-
Jimmy James OAM, a tracker
-
Rene Kulitja, an artist
-
David Miller, an artist
-
Dickie Minyintiri, an award-winning artist
-
Tiger Palpatja, an artist
-
Walter Pukutiwara, an artist
-
Kunmanara Stewart, an artist
-
Tjunkaya Tapaya, a batik artist
-
Malya Teamay, an artist and Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park management board member
-
Wingu Tingima, an artist
-
Tony Tjamiwa, also known as Tony Curtis, a traditional healer and storyteller
-
Harry Tjutjuna, an artist
-
Yannima Tommy Watson, an artist
-
Ginger Wikilyiri, an artist
-
Ruby Tjangawa Williamson, an artist
-
Nipper Winmarti, Aboriginal tracker and Traditional Owner of Uluru
-
Bart Willoughby, a musician noted for his pioneering fusion of reggae
-
Frank Yamma, an early proponent of singing Western-style songs in Pitjantjatjara
-
Isaac Yamma, a country singer
-
Harold Allison, initiated as a member of the Pitjantjatjara
shortly after becoming Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
See also
-
Wiltja, a shelter made by the Pitjantjatjara people and other indigenous Australian groups
Notes
Citations
Sources
External links
