These monumental woven figures, the first by Kantjupayi, have evolved from the Tjanpi Weaving project, which began in the Central Desert region in 1995.
The practice of weaving has its origins in the manguri - a woven hair ring traditionally used for carrying wooden coolamons on the head.
Western Desert women have always made particular items from fibre: hair-belts, hair rings, head bands, shoes from bark and feathers and hair string skirts or face coverings for modesty and ceremonial purposes.
These two wati are marrpan (witch doctors) who came all the way from Perth (in the west) and in their travels stopped near Blackstone for a short time before moving on. They also visited Kuli pirtin and Bang Mana Milpin near Blackstone. Then they went on to Docker River (200 kilometres north east of Blackstone) where another man killed them. Nothing more can be said about this story as it is associated with secret men's business.
