Mona Mitakiki Shepherd

Mona told this story to Sara Twigg-Patterson on 3 February 2005. It has been recorded as closely as possible to Mona’s version. Mona said this story originated at lapaku, a homeland near Warakurna (Giles Station) in Western Australia. This is her father’s and grandfather’s place. Their homeland. A secret story. One man died in this story. The men elders had inma (ceremony). Ikaka stole something which was men’s business only. The elders chased Ikaka and her husband when they tried to run away. The elders found them and killed the husband. Ikaka ran, leaving behind their baby, away from grandfather’s country. She went to Langaliki’s (Derose) father’s place, Kunamata. This lady she passed away there. True story. Mona said she can’t tell full story, as it is Watiku (Men’s) story, she can only tell the Minymaku (Women’s story) part. (Meaning she can only tell the women’s part to this story, not the men’s part.) “She never came back no more come back she sing for that man.’ Mona said ‘this is really story’. Meaning, that God told this story, that it is law, and Anangu (people) believe it really happened, a true story. After, Anangu tell this story in ceremony. The old men they know this story and sing it at inma or ceremony. Mona said her brother told her she could tell this story, this is like the Seven sister story, which is a Creation or Dreamtime story. Mona says she is from Warakurna.