Traditional Healers of Central Australia: Ngangkaṟi
New Edition
by Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council
WINNER, 2013 DEADLY AWARDS, PUBLISHED BOOK OF THE YEAR
COMMENDED, 2013 VICTORIAN PREMIER'S LITERARY AWARDS, NON-FICTION
Traditional Healers of Central Australia: Ngangkaṟi is a generous and authorised sharing of the words and traditions of the ngangkaṟi, the traditional healers of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Lands, encompassing 350,000 square kilometres of the remote western desert.
For thousands of years through countless generations, ngangkaṟi (NUN-ka-ree) have cared for the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of their people — drawing on deep cultural knowledge passed down through families and Country. Acknowledged, respected and accepted, these ngangkaṟi work collaboratively with hospitals and health professionals even beyond this region, working hand-in-hand with Western medical practitioners.
First published in 2013, Traditional Healers of Central Australia: Ngangkari marked the first time ngangkaṟi had openly shared their stories, culture and healing work in such depth and detail. This new edition continues that legacy — reaffirming that ngangkaṟi are still here, still working, and still passing on their power and knowledge to future generations.
We are still here. We are still working ngangkaṟi. We are still passing on ngangkaṟi power and the knowledge of how to use it. But we need to keep teaching so there can be more understanding about our work.
— Imitjala Pantjiti Lewis
This beautiful new edition brings together powerful new life stories, photographic portraits and striking artworks by some of Australia’s most highly respected artists and ngangkaṟi. It offers a rare and intimate insight into one of the world’s oldest and most enduring healing traditions.
Traditional Healers of Central Australia: Ngangkari is a deeply moving and essential book for anyone interested in Aboriginal culture, healing, and the strength of intergenerational knowledge.
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Table of Contents
Foreword
Aḻantja Kuwaritja Introduction
Aḻantja Irititja Introduction First Edition
Ngangkaṟiku Tjukurpa The Story of Our Work
Ngankaṟi
Peter Mitchell
Betty Ngurpulya (Betty Muffler)
Maringka Burton
Norma Baker Bryant
Yangi Yangi Fox
Jennifer Mitchell
Angela Burton
Imitjala Pantjiti Lewis
Marita Baker
Rosemary Peters
Andy Tjilari
Toby Minyintiri Baker
Rupert Langkatjukur Peter
Naomi Kantjuriny
Ilawanti Ungkutjuru Ken
Pantjiti Unkari McKenzie
Sam Wimitja Watson
Josephine Watjari Mick
Jimmy Pintjuntjara Baker
Dickie Minyintiri
Tinpulya Kangitja Mervyn
Bernard Tjalykuriny
Whiskey Tjukaṉku
Harry Tjutjana
Nakul Nyatjapi Dawson
Arnie Frank
Wakulpi Clem Toby (Dalby)
Martin Wintjin Thompson
Jacky Kurlturnyintja Tjapaltjarri Giles
Nguḻitjara
Ngangaṟiku Kulintja Ngangkaṟi Knowledge
Iriti Times past
Kurunpa Spirit
Mamu Harmful spirit beings
Marali Spirit journeys
Ngangkaṟiku aṟa Ngangkaṟi practice
Mapaṉpa
Kuuti
Kura kuurtjananyi
Walatjunanyi
Wiṟulymankupai
Pulyku
Pampuṉi
Maṟa aḻa, ngalya aḻa
Puuṉi
Wiyaringkunyangka After life
Kulintja palya Mental health
Ngangkaṟi maḻatja maḻatja Future ngankaṟi
NPY Women’s Council Ngangkaṟi Program
The Ngangkaṟi Book
Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjarra Women’s Council
Spelling and Pronunciation
Glossary
Acknowledgements
NPY Women’s Council Region Map
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Full-colour artwork + photographs throughout.
Flexibound Edition
272 pages. Printed flexibound cover, illustrated endpapers.
ISBN: 978-1-922864-20-8
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Press, reviews, endorsements
Video by the NPY Women’s Council providing a narrative of Ngankaṟi tradition - watch it here
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About the Authors
Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council is led by women’s law, authority and culture to deliver health, social and cultural services for all Aṉangu. It began as an advocacy body based on the need for Aṉangu women to have a voice and representation in conversations on land rights, policy and cultural affairs of the late 70’s and early 80’s. In 1993 NPY Women’s Council was funded to provide services, recognising the strength of supporting women and children for the benefit of the whole community. NPY Women’s Council is now a leader in the provision of human services in the NPY region. Proudly Aṉangu led, NPY Women’s Council is governed and directed by Aboriginal women across 26 desert communities in the cross-border regions of Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory – an area covering 350,000 sq km. The members' determination to improve the quality of life for families in the NPY (Western Desert language) region drives the organisation. Visit their website to find out more.
