My Story, Mala People

“Before, when we had Anangu Tours, I would walk with everyone, sharing the Mala Story as we went along. We would take long walks, and I would tell them about the Mala People.

Then I had a stroke. While I was in the hospital, I thought hard about painting again and sharing my story.

Long ago, people grew up hearing these stories and then taught the young ones about Mala Tjukurpa. Now, only a few know this story. I learned it from the old people, walking alongside them for a long time, absorbing their knowledge.

Now I can’t walk properly, but I still carry this knowledge in my mind. This story connects the old times with the new.

In my painting, you can see bush tomatoes, with women collecting them and sharing with the children, followed by dancing during inma (ceremony). If you have jinna (feet) to walk, you can join the Mala walk and learn this story. Look for the grinding stones in the family cave where we ground bush tomatoes. Notice the green trees of the Mala People; they are special.

When I had my stroke, all these memories came flooding back to me.”

— Christine Brumby, July 2021

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