In the Dreamtime there are two parts to the Pencil Yam story that Eileen paints. Two different seeds were borne that created two different species of pencil yam; one called Atnwelarr which belongs to Alhalkere and Atnangkere countries, and the other called Arlatyeye which belongs to Eileen’s country.
Eileen paints the seeds of Arlatyeye.
The Arlatyeye itself is a small, long tubular yam (swollen root) belonging to a trailing herb or creeper that often covers large areas of ground with bright green leaves and yellow flowers.
ABOUT:
Name: Eileen Bird
Skin name: Nungarai (also spelled Kngwarreye)
Language group: Eastern Arrernte and Anmatyerre
Country: Arnumarra (near Gem Tree)
Lives: Utopia, Central Australia
Born: 1956
