REV-29

Elfreda Ward

Mirlirrtjarra Arts

Title: Seven sisters

Acrylic on canvas: 84.8 x 96 x 2cm

The Seven Sisters, known as Kungkarangkalpa, is a sacred Creation Story of great significance to the Anangu people. Long ago, the Seven Sisters travelled across the land, always being pursued by Wati Niru; a trickster man who sought to court one of them. Using deception and persistence, he chased them relentlessly. However, the eldest sister, wise and protective, always managed to keep them one step ahead. In the end, the sisters escaped together to a faraway place, beyond Wati Niru’s reach. To this day, their journey is written in the stars. The Seven Sisters can be seen in the night sky as the Pleiades constellation, forever pursued by Wati Niru, represented by the bright stars of Orion. This story is deeply woven into Tjukurpa (creation story), which teaches the codes of life, survival and knowledge. Through Kungkarangkalpa Inma, a sacred ceremony, these lessons are passed down and celebrated, guiding people in their relationship with the land, community and traditions.