Traditional Healers of Central Australia: Ngangkari

by NPY Women's Council Aboriginal Corporation

The ngangkari are the traditional healers of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Lands, encompassing 350,000 square kilometres of the remote western desert. For thousands of years the ngangkari have nurtured the physical, emotional and social well-being of their people. To increase understanding and encourage collaboration with mainstream health services and the wider community, the ngangkari have forged a rare partnership with health professionals and practitioners of Western medicine. Experience the world of the ngangkari as they share their wisdom, natural healing techniques and cultural history through life stories, spectacular photography and artwork.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous, Australia, Medicine, Health

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Sezen Yasar]

The book has stories of Ngangkari's, their experiences at first hands, so precious to be able to read them. I found very interesting, especially about the invisible strings , which Ngankari's able to see, and the flow on this line reminded 'chi' to me. And the eye, positiones on our forehead also give a strong sense of the connectıon with eastern spirituality . Western lifestyle and medicine still so new for Australian indigenous people, this past brief time should have seen by their perspective, listening directly by them is crucıal. I want to thank to NYP Women council for thair amazing work.
This is one of my favourite part of the book;

‘’Healing is part of life and continues through death and into life again. It occures throughout a persons life journey as well as across generations. It can be experienced in many forms such as mending a wound or recovery from illness. Mostly however, ıt is about renewal. Leaving behind those things that have wounded us and caused pain. Moving forward in our journey with hop efor the future with renewed energy, strenght and enthusiasm for life. Healing gives us back to ourselves. Not to hide or fight anymore. But to sit still, calm our minds, listen to the universe and allow our spirits to dance on the wind. It lets us enjoy the sunshine and a bathed by the golden glow of the moon as we drift into dreamtime. Healing ultimately gives us back to our country. To stand once again in our rightful place, eternal and generational.’’
Healing not just about recovering what has been lost or repairing what has been broken. It is about embracing our life force to create a new vibrant fabric that keeps us grounded and connected, wraps us in warmth and love gives us the joy of seeing what we have created. Healing keeps us strong and gentle at the same time.
Healing gives us balance and harmony, a place for triumph and sanctuary forevermore.''
Quoted by Mackean in the Medical Journal of Australia

[Miki Mitayn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book for Indigenous people and anyone interested in healing. Anyone who is curious about the nature of reality will enjoy this book.
It's full of beautiful photographs which evoke the country and the peoples of these important places in Central Australia.
Australia has hundreds of highly skilled and gifted Traditional Aboriginal healers.
The Ngangkari who wrote this book are particularly precious to us because their experience and training came from pre-colonial times, in this lifetime. In contrast, many Aboriginal people from Coastal areas, like me, are in the 5th generation or so since the British invaded. We have adapted and have different cultures reflecting our experience.
The people of the APY Lands have kept their languages, dance, stories and ceremonies alive. This document bears witness to ancient methods of healing, including plant and animal medicines, bone setting and massage and spiritual healing involving astral travel and remote diagnosis and treatment.
A fascinating book that deserves a broad audience.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and richly articulated, this anthology presents the work and the viewpoints of Ngangkari, healers, from Central Australia, the area covered by the
Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Women's Council, including Uluru and Ernabella. The book presents the voices of these traditional healers, including different gendered roles and perspectives from multiple language groups. They also discuss the effectiveness of these treatments for mental health problems, and their ineffectiveness for people affected by alcohol or petrol inhalation. We don't have enough stories that tell of the resilience from this part of Australia, and this is a heartening and thoughtful read.

[Jessie Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with beautiful photos, artwork and stories, this book has been made to share the lives and work of the Ngangkari of Central Australia, so we may better understand the important job they do and how valued they are in their communities. Often working in collaboration with western medical practitioners, these specialists study and work hard, unfortunately for zero or very little pay. They are worth more than that. They deserve to be respected and payed what they are worth. Im so grateful this book has been produced. What a wonderful way to get to know these remarkable healers.

[Aimee-Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of historical and personal recounts and short stories. It was lovely to read some of the Ngangkari’s history and way of life. Aborigines are famous for their storytelling and this book delivered just that. There are so many stories though that I did start to get bored but it didn’t take away from the fact that I learned a few things about their culture.

[Bethany Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful project of knowledge sharing

[Frank Ashe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stars is as a general reader. 5 stars for the importance of the book.