c. 1920's
Language Group:Anmatyerre
Country:Atnangkere, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Batik on Silk, Wood Carving
Subjects:Atnwelarre (Pencil Yam), Tharrkarr (Sweet Honey Grevillea), Awelye (Women's Ceremony), Country, Ngwerlp (Wild Tobacco) and Antyarlkenh (Bush Yam) Story
Weida was a senior woman in Utopia with deep knowledge of her country. During Awelye (Women's Ceremony), she would perform significant songs integral to the ceremonies. Weida lived in various places, including Akaye Soakage, Three Bores, Camel Camp and Kurrajong Bore. She played a role in the Utopia batik movement in the late 1970s.
Weida paints the story of the Ngkwerlp (Wild Tobacco) and Antyarlkenh (Bush Yam).
The Ngkwerlp herb has soft leaves and creamy white, trumpet shaped flowers. The leaf of the plant is picked and chewed by the aboriginal people and can also be used for medicinal purposes. In the olden days, and in some areas today, the seeds would be collected and replanted by the aboriginal people.
The Antyarlkenh is a yam that grows underground with its viny shrub growing above. It is normally found on spinifex sand plains and produces large pink flowers after summer rain. The yam tastes much like the common sweet potato and can be eaten raw or cooked. It is still a staple food for the desert aborigines.
