Arabic version: معرض يحتفل ببرنامج محو الأمية الثنائي اللغة الفريد في بابونيا

Art created to help Papunya children read in their language goes on display at the National Library of Australia. The initiative, which began more than 40 years ago, aimed to produce bilingual literacy tools in Pintupi-Luritja, showcasing stories about first contact, community life, and local flora and fauna. According to ABC News, these books were created in collaboration with local pioneers in the celebrated Western Desert art movement.

The exhibition, titled “Wangka Wakanutja: The Story of the Papunya Literature Production Centre,” features works created between 1979 and 1990, guided by the community’s Elders and funded by the Whitlam government. Professor Vivien Johnson, who worked to digitise the collection, emphasized the significance of these books in empowering Aboriginal people to take control of their education.

Priscilla Brown, who was raised in Papunya and is an author of some of the books, recalled the joy these readers brought to local children, while Roslyn Dixon shared her experience of learning to read in her language using the books. The stories included themes that resonated deeply with the community, fostering a rich educational experience.

Professor Johnson noted that the illustrations in these books were not simplistic, but rather detailed and vibrant, reflecting the landscape and cultural narratives of the Papunya community. She highlighted the importance of these resources in teaching children in the same style as they would learn from Elders telling stories around the campfire.

After being packed away for a long time, the collection has now found a home at the National Library of Australia, where it can be appreciated and preserved. Professor Johnson expressed her hope that the exhibition would allow others to access and understand the unique history and stories of the Papunya community, despite the original bilingual program no longer being in operation.