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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.
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Online Overview of the Ara Irititja Archive:
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Download a full screen high quality version to play on your
desktop (approx. 3.1 MB): Mac
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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.
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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. |
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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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Click thumbnails for enlargement.
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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 |
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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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Click the screen shots for enlargement.
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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. |
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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 |
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Contact Details
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Email:
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info@irititja.com |
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Phone:
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(08) 8226 4873
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Fax:
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(08) 8226 4878
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Postal Address:
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Ara Irititja,
P.O. Box 1234,
Marleston, SA, 5033.
Australia
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