"Minyma Kutjara"

Size: 76 x 56cm

Artist: Eva Baker

Code: 24-6

Story:

Minyma Kutjara / Two Sister is one of the most important women’s creation stories of the Western and Southern
deserts and a special story for Irrunytju. It tells the story of the difficult journey of two sisters who travelled
throughout these vast lands. The story is one that has been told many times through dance and painting. The
places where the sisters travelled and rested can be traced through the desert, their actions often created
landmarks, rock-holes and mountain ranges. Near Irrunytju the sisters sat on two hills and made hair belts in
preparation for important women’s business. They threw their wana / digging stick creating the local rockhole
Wana Wanitja. They then travelled to an area known as Mantaruta, near Uluru, where they had an encounter
with a wanampi the water snake . They chased him deep into the ground trying to catch him. They burned their
body hair to attract him and hit him on the head and ran away. From afar they threw a traditional manguri /
head ring which also hits him. Then he came and in revenge hit them all over. They continued they journey,
bleeding and hurt, but triumphant.