In Alice Springs and throughout Central Australia, Aboriginal traditional healers (ngangkari) are quietly going about their work. Using complex methods of touch, breath and spiritual healing, they do what they have always done - ease the pain of those who are suffering. Many ngangkari are employed by the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Womens Council in Alice Springs, and work hand in hand with mainstream health professionals. The organisation has just launched a book on the ancient art of the ngankari, Traditional Healers of Central Australia: Ngankari. Pantjiti McKenzie was just a child when she began her journey as a ngangkari. This was a long time ago before any of us had ever been paid to give treatments, she says. There were no doctors around in those days. Pantjitis work is particularly significant in the area of renal disease - an issue which impacts increasing numbers of Aboriginal people in the region. I can always feel when theres trouble in the kidneys brewing and Ill warn people, she says.Hey listen, you need to be very, very careful, your kidneys are degenerating...Ive touched them, I know whats going on, you need to go and see a doctor as soon as possible. Andy says ngangkari are working cooperatively alongside doctors at Alice Springs Hospital. We find that the two methods of medicine work incredibly well together, he says. Thanks to Chris Sitka. abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/03/22/3721996.htm
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 20:18:02 +0000
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