The beautiful start to Jeanette`s birthday, 13th Sept

Aspects of the Peppimenarte Community

There are a number of stream crossings along the road to Port Keats, this one is near Peppimenarte.

The Peppimenarte, art decorated school.

Peppimenarte Paintings

Some of Jeanettes photos of the artwork at Peppimenarte

A visit to Peppimenarti

The beautiful basket weaving of the artists of Peppimenarti

A visit to Peppimenarti

Last Saturday Sept. 1st, we accepted the kind invitation of the Ngangikurrunggurr people of the Peppimenarti Community to attend an “Open Day” to the general public, that did not require application for a permit to enter the area.
The last time such a day was held was more than a year ago.
Peppimenarti is a working cattle station established on the traditional country of the Ngangikurrunggurr people situated part way between Daly River and Port Keats. The approximately 200 people who live in Peppimenarti are increased by another 100 from the “Outstations” during the Wet Season. The artistic skills of the women are recognized throughout the art world and on this occasion although the day did not officially begin until 10 am, by then nearly all the art had been purchased by a man who arrived in a charted helicopter!
Everyone was made to feel really welcome, and the women demonstrated their dye making, all from natural sources and all the processes to make the beautiful baskets they are known for.
They were patient answereing our questions, providing clear explanations.
We asked how many of the women in the community are involved in the basket making and were told, “all of them!”
The men performed traditional dancing, during which many of the women participated.
We were offered a tour of the “Town Camp” as the locals refer to the residential area, in the community bus which we accepted, and admired the artistic decoration of the school and the circular layout of the residences that provides at least a 100 metres spacing between buildings.
A modern style band entertained us during a hamburger lunch, with further impromptu traditional dancing.
A new project underway is the “Land Care” Rangers Group, who hope to earn income from wild bee honey. The women have gathered hives and the men have made the small timber boxes that have already produced the honey that will now be used to promote the project. Reducing wild pig numbers and cane toads are all part of their flexible mandate, to care for the land. At this time the four current members have to pay for the fuel to run their own vehicles while doing this work.
Once again we had a wonderful learning experience day with warm friendly people.