1. Anangu people
2. Animals
3. Art
4. Bilingual books
5. Desert
6. Hand weaving
7. Humour
8. Pitjantjatjara people (C6) (NT SG52-11)

This is a cleverly written and illustrated story using traditional Indigenous hand weaving to create sculptures while exploring ways that the Tangki Tjuta donkeys assisted the Anangu people. The authors recount an experience with ‘Older Brother’ where he learns a valuable lesson about appreciating donkeys and their relationship with the Anangu people.

The text is bilingual with the Pitjantjatjara text written at the top of each page in bold font. The English equivalent is written underneath. The illustrations vary between full page and double page spread allowing the reader to fully engage with these beautifully constructed sculptures. The illustrations depict the various emotions of the characters creating another layer of interest and humour within the story. These donkeys are malpa wiru, valuable friends and helpers to the families and desert community of Pukatja (Ernabella) in the APY Lands of northern South Australia. At the back of the book, an explanation and website provide more information about the Tjanpi Desert Weavers. The artists made these sculptures from minarri, wangunu and intiyanu, desert grasses collected from their Lands. They bound the grass together around wire frames with string, wool or raffia. This book has been made into a short, animated film for the Sydney Short Film Festival.

The artworks featured are created by 17 artists of Tjanpi Desert Weavers that support women to create fibre art across the central and western desert regions of Australia. There is a QR code in the front of the book for readers to listen to the book in Pitjantjatjara and English.

1. Allen & Unwin Teachers Notes. ‘Tangki Tjuta - Donkeys’ Teacher notes and audio reading of the book https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Tjanpi-Desert-Weavers-Tangki-Tjuta-%E2%80%93-Donkeys-9781761180149
2. Tjanpi Desert Weavers. Animation video of the book and information on the Tjanpi Desert Weavers https://tjanpi.com.au/
3. Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council. 2022. Information on the Tjanpi Desert Weavers https://www.npywc.org.au/what-we-do/tjanpi-desert-weavers/
4. Commonwealth of Australia. Parks Australia. 2022. Language https://parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru/discover/culture/language/
5. Glam Adelaide. Jo Vabolis book review: Tangki Tjuta – Donkeys, by Tjanpi Desert Weavers. 1 July 2022 https://glamadelaide.com.au/book-review-tangki-tjuta-donkeys-by-tjanpi-desert-weavers/