Kuprilya Spring – Living Water/Kwatja Etatha
In the early 1930s, before the construction of the water pipe from Kuprilya to Ntaria (Hermannsburg), the community at Ntaria (Hermannsburg) was suffering from the depression and drought. Many of the Aranda people would get their water from soakages in the Finke River bed and wells. This was not enough to resource the community.
When I was growing up, I remember my grandmother taking me and my siblings to these celebrations from our outstation 8 Mile. My grandmother’s name was Therese Pareroultja, the youngest sister for Edwin, Reuben and Otto Pareroultja.
During this time many of the children and adults were suffering from illness that would eventually take their lives. Food supply was not enough, and Aranda people would need to look for native food.
Local Aranda people believed that the sacred rubbing stone was there to bring rain, but not a lot, just enough for drinking. You would have to rub the rubbing stone on the large rock and sing in tribal language to bring the rain. Many have said that the stone has gone missing, to an unknown source.
The water supply from Kuprilya eventually commenced through a pipeline, constructed in 1935 with the help of many men from the community and travellers from the western desert who came to help. These men would work day and night to dig trenches with their bare hands, shovels, and crowbars. They would have to dig on the hard limestones and around large boulders. There were many family groups involved with the construction pf the pipeline.
Albert Namatjira in the early days of his painting life, he painted on hand made Boomerangs. These Boomerangs told the story of the Kuprilya Pipe, Kangaroos, gum trees, Christianity and plants. The boomerangs that Albert painted on told an important story of life at Hermannsburg. He not only painted on boomerangs, but plaques that were given to him. There were many plaques that were painted with the mission days.
Kuprilya Day is celebrated in Ntaria (Hermannsburg) on 1 October, the date the water began flowing from the pipeline. It began by celebrating the life of water and thanking the Lord for showing the natural spring water to the community. From the early years, families would gather at the springs to give thanks. They would also have meals to share, kids and adults’ races, tug of war for the men etc. This day would be filled with happiness.
Many families would also gather for the baptism of children at the Kuprilya Springs. This was a special day, and many families would attend. They would all then gather to share a barbeque lunch under the shaded trees.
Kuprilya Day has been going on for years and continues to include many community members and share this day with families.
These days celebrations include men riding horseback from the mission to the celebration. Many of the riders are dressed in colourful cowboy shirts, fancy leather leggings and hats. From the earlier days the celebrations have changed over the years. Many would only remember those early days with the elders as this was a special time for them and their families.
“I remember watching the kids race and full over, some would keep going others would stop” Selma Coulthard said. “There was cake that was made, and it was called Kuprilya Cake”.
“I remember when the elders would rub a sacred stone on a rock and sing for rain to come, not a lot of rain, now the rock is missing maybe someone so gave it away?” Hubert said.
We had a day out at Kuprilya Springs on Tuesday 18th May 2021 with Artists – Mervyn Rubuntja, Benita Clements, Dellina Inkamala, Kathy Inkamala, Betty Namatjira Wheeler, Marcus Wheeler, Vanessa Inkamala and Selma Coulthard. Assisting in the day was Marisa Maher, Koren Wheatley and Gloria Mokertarinja from Iltja Ntjarra. Desart staff and support Eliza Waters, Photographers Stephen Pearce and Pin Rada.
All the artists are from Hermannsburg and spent most of their lives growing up at Hermannsburg. They have shared many memories and stories of the time spent at Kuprilya Springs.