| Aboriginal people say that the land was created in the Tjurkurpa, or Creation Time, by the Ancestors - supernatural beings who had some characteristics of animals and some characteristics of people. They could change shape from animal to human and back again. |
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Tjintir-tjintirpa, the willy wagtail woman, lived at Ikari, the smiling cave, on the eastern side of Uluru. This Ancestor was a very friendly woman who smiled at everyone who passed by. She was interested in everyone's business and knew everything about everybody. Even today Aboriginal people in Central Australia are very careful not to talk too much when a willy wagtail is nearby. She might fly away to tell other people your business. |
