The Mutitjulu Walk

"All of the features in this area of Uluru are associated with the creation activities of a group of closely connected ancestral beings, the most important of which are two snakes, Kuniya and Liru. Kuniya is a python and Liru is a poisonous snake. Wherever you walk in this area you are surrounded by the presence of the Kuniya and Liru Tjukurpa.

Other ancestral beings active in this area include Lungkata, the blue-tongue lizard. We will mention him later along the walk.

In the beginning, the female Kuniya becomes angry with the lack of respect for proper behaviour shown by Liru. She attacks him in great rage, and the battle becomes a disastrous encounter.

As Kuniya approaches Liru in her righteous anger, she performs a ritual dance to make it publicly known that a woman of power is seeking to punish the person who has offended her. kuniya is furious, and in an attempt to control the dark forces that her ritual anger is unleashing, she picks up a handful of sand and lets it fall to the ground. This is to settle the forces she is disturbing, so that they will not harm others.

However, Kuniya's rage is too strong, and a great battle takes place. Kuniya strikes Liru and he receives a small wound as he deflects the blow with a shield. Then Kuniya delivers Liru a second strike and he receives a deep, long and fatal wound. Liru's shield falls to the ground.

Kuniya has avenged her honour, but in her furious rage every plant near the battle has become poisoned. The Urtjanpa (spearwood bush) here is particularly poisoned.

Evidence of Kuniya's actions as she rushes towards her insulter and destroys him, is clear in the features along the walk you are about to take. You will not just be looking at rocks and walls; you will be walking in the midst of creation and the record of events which continue today to be celebrated in story, song and ritual dance."

Taken from 'An Insight into Uluru - The Mala Walk and the Mutitjulu Walk', Parks Australia and Mutitjulu Community Incorporated 1990. (Available to purchase from the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park).

Guided tours of the walk are available.

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