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Mick Wikilyiri: Tjala tjukurpa - Honey ant story 2017


Details

  • No.:RK1521
  • Medium:Acrylic on Linen
  • Size:122 × 101,5 cm
  • Year:2017
  • Region:APY Lands (West)
  • Art Centre:Tjala Arts
  • Status:

Mick is telling the story of the Tjala or Honey Ant which are found about a metre underground beneath Mulga trees. The Honey Ant tunnels that lead down to the ant’s nests are called nyinantu. The Honey Ant larvae are called ipilyka-ipilyka. Honey Ants are a highly favoured food source. When the Pitjantjatjara go looking for Honey Ants they look for the drill holes under the trees. When they see them, they shovel and dig down, following the tunnels to find the Honey Ants inside. They suck the honey-like liquid from the abdomen of the Honey Ant. The story about the Honey Ant is told across the Northern Territory into South Australia. The Honey Ant is an important link between Anangu mythology and inter-dependence on the environment. The Honey Ant Ancestors are related to the country around Amata.


Special provisions apply to this artwork. Reproductions of the artwork and its story in part or in whole in any form require the permission of the artist. We are only too happy to be of assistance in this matter.