YARITJI YOUNG - TJALA TJUKURPA - HONEY ANT STORY

 YARITJI YOUNG
TJALA TJUKURPA - HONEY ANT STORY,  2020
152 x 198 cm frame: 155 x 201 cm
Synthetic Polymer Paint on Belgian Linen
 
PROVENANCE
APY (Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) Lands
Tjara Arts, NTPrivate Collection, VicCooee Art, NSW 
 
STORY
Yaritji is telling the story of the Tjala or Honey Ants 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 of 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.