Atham-areny Story by Angelina Ngale

Atham-areny comes from the Anmatyerre wordsatham (no fire) andareny (belonging to). They are small and colourless spirits or creatures of the country who live in the ground or places where the fire does not belong. They can be known to come out of their homes and steal and hide babies, or cause mischief. It is important that people stay by the fire. If the Atham-areny touches you, you will feel sick. This painting depicts a practice that falls into the supernatural realm of bush medicine where women are called upon by a Nangara (traditional healer or witch doctor) to sing and dance together to help heal someone touched by Atham-areny. Other ancestor spirits, ones that watch over the land and protect the people, are invoked during the process to assist. Angelina fills the background space with linear body paint designs.