Ara Irititja Ara Irititja Ara Irititja
Ara Irititja

Ara Irititja identifies, copies and electronically records historical materials about Anangu (Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara people). Ara Irititja, a project of the Pitjantjatjara Council, commenced in 1994 when it was realised that a large amount of archival material about Anangu was not controlled by or accessible to them. This material was held in museums, libraries and private collections. Items held by private individuals were often at risk of being damaged or irretrievably lost. To date, a major focus of Ara Irititja’s work has been retrieving and securing such records for the benefit of Anangu and the broader Australian community.

 
Online Overview of the Ara Irititja Archive:

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Peter Nyaningu talks about Ara Irititja's role in preserving Anangu history.

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Ara Irititja’s electronic archive has been developed in response to the specific cultural needs of Anangu. Where possible, Pitjantjatjara language is used. Innovative software protects and/or restricts access to private, sensitive and offensive materials. Whereas most archives manage static collections of historical materials, Ara Irititja’s archive is structured around a dynamic database. When viewing records, Anangu can add, expand, or correct data and historical details. Research internationally suggests that our culturally-sensitive software design is at the forefront of its field. Using the latest advances in computer technology, the Ara Irititja database is able to fully integrate diverse materials and media.

The Ara Irititja database already holds over 35,000 records. This includes many thousands of still photographs, art and craft works, traditional objects, diaries, journals, manuscripts and hundreds of hours of movies and sound recordings. The archival storage of these materials in digital format facilitates the development of educational materials, multimedia, CD-ROM and other innovative electronic productions.

Oral history recording is an integral part of the project. Priority is given to recording, transcribing and translating the stories of elderly Anangu living on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands. First meetings with European people and the arrival of exotic animals, motor vehicles, bicycles and aeroplanes are just some of the stories of ‘first contact’ that have been documented in this way.

 
Peter Nyaningu, Colin Tjapiya & Ushma Scales view photographs at the State Library of South Australia at the beginning of the project in 1994.

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Niri Niri: a robust mobile workstation built to withstand the rugged conditions of the Australian Outback

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On the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands, extreme conditions and unsteady power sources threaten computer operations. Consequently, after developing its electronic archive, Ara Irititja had to provide it with a home that could withstand the onslaught of dust, sand and mice. In addition, it had to be mobile – Anangu wanted to be able to access the electronic archive out in bush camps and in dry creek beds, as well as in community halls and classrooms.

In response to these requirements, Ara Irititja created the ‘Niri Niri’ — a unique mobile workstation that houses a computer, a data projector, a printer and an uninterruptible power supply unit. (‘Niri Niri’ is the Pitjantjatjara word for a scarab beetle.)
The first Niri Niri was delivered to Ernabella in March 2001. By August 2003, another 10 workstations had been delivered to Anangu communities in remote parts of South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia

Ara Irititja: protecting the past, accessing the future – Indigenous memories in a digital age is an exhibition touring Australia until 2005. It celebrates the way Anangu are using digitally-based information technology to protect and secure their past. Through interactive computer programs and narrative panels, visitors to the exhibition explore aspects of Ara Irititja’s goals, development and outstanding achievements.

Funded by Visions of Australia, a Commonwealth Government Program, the exhibition is visiting 13 venues in South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory. More info and Itinerary

 
Ara Winki: Life on the Pitjantjatjara Lands is now on display in the South Australian Museum and the Alice Springs Public Library.

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Ara Winki: Life of the Pitjantjatjara Lands, an interactive educational program draws on the project’s extensive historical collection to tell the story of the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people and their land. Historical and contemporary photos are interwoven with film and audio clips to create an educational overview of the richness and complexity of Anangu life.

Ara Winki’s navigation and design – developed by Adelaide multimedia company, Rightside Response – evoke traditional cultural activities. The throwing of rocks – used to navigate a pathway through the program – recalls the way Anangu announce their arrival at a new location. Likewise, the surface of the interface brings to mind the sand on which Anangu trace out the details of a particular story or the path of a journey recently made.

Ara Winki is on permanent display in the South Australian Museum and the Alice Springs Public Library.

Ara Irititja is managed by the Social History Unit of the Pitjantjatjara Council in collaboration with Anangu Pitjantjatjara. It is supported by:

South Australian Museum Telstra Foundation Visions of Australia Anangu Education Services Dept of Further Education, Employment, Science & Training ATSIC Dept of Communications, Information Technology & The Arts Networking the Nation Museum Victoria Australian Institute of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Studies State Library of South Australia National Library of Australia – Community Heritage Grants Australia Foundation for Culture and the Humanities Yaitya Warra Wodli Language Centre Green Hills Foundation Australian Indigenous Cultural Network

 

Additional Documentation

Ara Irititja: protecting the past, accessing the future – Indigenous memories in a digital age Exhibition

 
Accessing materials held by the Ara Irititja Archival Project

 

Contact Details

Email:

info@irititja.com

Phone:

(08) 8226 4873

Fax:

(08) 8226 4878

Postal Address:

 

Ara Irititja,
P.O. Box 1234,
Marleston, SA, 5033.
Australia


© 2003 Pitjantjatjara Council Inc. This page last updated 6 November, 2003 .
Ara Irititja: stories from a long time ago