Angilyiya Tjapiti Mitchell and Paula Sarkaway Lyons show off the oldest of the Seven Sisters. This sister is ninti (knowledgeable) and always recognises Wati Nyiru’s tricks, such as when he transforms himself into a delicious quandong or snake to entice the sisters to eat him.
Angilyiya takes a long sailmaker needle to sew on strands of mangka (hair) and facial features like kuru (eyes).
Paula shapes the sister’s head from wads of tjanpi (grass), stitching them in place with wool.
Angilyiya makes small raffia donut-shapes to create the walka (body design) used for inma (ceremonial song and dance) at the Kuru Ala site, where dancing and singing of the Seven Sisters Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) takes place.
One yipi (breast) has been sewn in place. The orange coloured raffia coils form part of the walka (body design).
Using blue wool for added colour, Angilyiya ties the tjanpi (grass) together. She leads the group in singing the Kuru Ala inma (ceremonial song).
Video: Christiane Keller, National Museum of Australia
