ALICE SPRINGS
MPARNTWE
MPARNTWE
ALICE SPRINGS
CULTURE
CREATION
TOTEMS
The Northern Territory makes up 20% of the landmass of Australia but only 1% of the population. Mparntwe | Alice Springs is the 2nd largest town in the Northern Territory (to Darwin). Alice Springs is situated 1500km | 932 miles from the nearest major cities (Darwin and Adelaide). It is the closest Australian town to every beach in Australia!
Indigenous name = Mparntwe | Pronounced: M-ban-twa
Indigenous People of Mparntwe = Arrente | Pronounced: ‘Arrunda’
Hello = ‘Werte’ | Pronounced: Were da!
More than 6 different Indigenous languages are spoken in the streets of Alice Springs. It is important to respect the Traditional way of life here. Arrente stories describe how the landscape surrounding the township, including the MacDonnell Ranges, was created by the actions of their Ancestors; the Caterpillar Beings. These Creation Stories also explain Arrente Traditional connection with more distant areas that surround Alice Springs.
In the beginning, the Earth was flat and featureless. Life began when totemic Ancestors (super-natural beings) of plants, animals and people awoke from their slumber and walked across Country, creating a trail of 'life'. All features of the natural world were shaped by Aboriginal Ancestors; including lakes, rivers, beaches, waterfalls, rock escarpments, mountains and more. Once the Ancestors completed their labour of Creation, they returned to the Earth.
Arrente believe that every person is born with two souls. Your first soul is created by your Mother and Father. Your second soul enters your mothers womb when she is pregnant. This soul or spirit usually takes form of a plant or animal. This soul is called a 'totem'. When you are born, stories will connect you to the land and your totem.
For example:
Your mother may be walking along a dry river bed in Mparntwe Country (Alice Springs) where the Creation Stories from this area derive from the tail feathers of the White Belly Sea Eagle. Your totem animal may become the Eagle.
The totemic spirit that enters the mothers womb during pregnancy has a huge influence on the life of that child. Once born, the child will learn about their totem and when old enough, learn songs and dances about their totem. They have a moral responsibility to ensure the environment for their totem is thriving and must protect their totem at all costs. They are not allowed to hunt their totem. They are not allowed to eat their totem. No deviation is permitted.
Your totem will differ to other members in your family. Therefore, when an Indigenous mob (family group) walk across Country, their combined totem protection ensures safety and security for all living things that surround them. Their connection to Mother Nature creates a feeling of respect across the land and spreads to other clan groups. We are all connected.
Upon death, our mortal soul dies when we die.
Our totemic soul return to the Earth.
IN ALICE SPRINGS
AMERICANS
United States citizens have lived in Alice Springs continuously since the establishment of the United States Air Force Detachment 421, in 1954. There is a top-secret military facility just outside of Alice Springs, called ‘Pine Gap’.
The population of Alice Springs is approximately 30,000 (including 2000 Americans).
EUROPEAN
HISTORY
In 1861, an English explorer named John McDouall Stuart was the first European to get to Alice Springs. Stuart established a route connecting the north and south coasts of Australia; an important link in those early days. Though a very controversial figure, Stuart is arguably modern- Australia’s greatest explorer due to his extensive experiences surviving the harsh and deadly conditions in Australia's interior.
Today, the 'Stuart' Highway connects the continent from north (Darwin) to south (Adelaide) - connects the top of Australia to the bottom of Australia, straight down the middle.
TELEGRAPH
STATION
A decade later, the overland Telegraph Line was built for overseas communication (back to the motherland) and a repeater station was established where Alice Springs is today. The Telegraph Line linked Darwin to Adelaide, and thus onwards to the United Kingdom. This opened the doors to permanent settlement in Alice Springs.
Alice Springs got its name from a waterhole, adjacent to the Telegraph Station, named after Alice Todd - wife of Sir Charles Todd: one of the pioneers of meteorology in Australia. As the Government Meteorological Observer for the Colony of South Australia, Todd worked with his counterparts in the other British colonies and established the Australia-New Zealand weather observation network.
ALICE
MODERN
Alice's population didn’t grow significantly until the discovery of gold in 1887 in a dry creek bed in Arltunga. Camel trains carried essential water and supplies to Arltunga. Afghan cameleers forged a place in Australia’s history, driving their camel trains through the unforgiving desert climate, which were much better suited than horses. The journey from Alice to Arltunga would take a week with temperatures frequently exceeding 40 degrees Celsius | 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
'Alice Springs' got its name from a waterhole, adjacent to the Telegraph Station, named after Alice Todd - wife of Sir Charles Todd: one of the pioneers of meteorology in Australia. As the Government Meteorological Observer for the Colony of South Australia, Todd worked with his counterparts in the other British colonies and established the Australia-New Zealand weather observation network.
IMPACT
EUROPEAN
CRIME
Like in much of Australia, Alice Springs was taken over by Western ways of living and as a result, social issues run rampant for Arrente, the Indigenous People that belong to the land. Today, unemployment and poverty are the core issues from which many other problems emerge. Many Arrente are leading idle, unfulfilling lives which severely impacts their mental health and the over wellbeing of the community. Locals are turning to unproductive and damaging activities to pass the time.
Alcoholism is a crisis, to which regulations have been put in place to control the times alcohol can be drunk and the quantity in which it can be consumed and sold. These rules apply to everyone in Alice Springs, but the restrictions do not deter the addicted and determined drinkers.
The crime rate in Alice Springs is the second highest of any Australian city (second to Darwin). The main cause of this is due to mental health challenges and the large population of unemployed and/or homeless Aboriginal residents. Youth crime in particular is a very concerning issue in this part of Australia. Two thirds of all property-related crime in Alice Springs is committed by young people under the age of 18.
SAFETY &
AWARENESS
Alice is a small town, easy to navigate. There is nothing further than 10 - 15 minutes from the centre of town. The natural surroundings of the township are dramatic and beautiful. The general population is full of kind and generous people that are ready to help you if they can.
During the day, you may witness Cultural differences, but all-in-all, it is a relatively safe place to be. After dark, that changes. There is minimal police presence in relation to the increasing crime rates.
Crimes include (but aren’t limited to:
- House and car break-ins
- Youth crime, at all hours of the night
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Mental health challenges
- Physical and sexual assaults
Alice Springs locals have given up reporting many crimes to the police as they are rarely attended to, due to lack of staff. Locals will instead report crimes on local Facebook pages to warn others of active danger areas. The safest place you can stay in Alice Springs, is at a hotel.
WEATHER
CLIMATE &
In Summer (December - February) average temperatures range from 20 - 36 degrees Celsius which is 60 - 95 degrees Fahrenheit but it can soar to 40 degrees Celsius |104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Autumn is one of the best times to visit, with warm days and cool nights. Average temperatures range from 12 - 27 degrees Celsius | 54 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Again, it can often exceed the average.
The coolest month in Alice Springs is July, in Winter. Temperatures can drop below 0 degrees Celsius |32 degrees Fahrenheit and thick frost on the ground can resemble a carpet of snow.
In Spring, it warms up with average temperatures between 14 - 30 degrees Celsius | 57 - 87 degrees Fahrenheit. It can bring spectacular thunderstorms and cool evenings!
PROTECTION
HYDRATION &
The most important thing to remember whilst travelling Central Australia is hydration and sun protection. Please consider adding electrolytes to your water and to pace yourself as you explore.
SIMPSONS GAP
Simpsons Gap is part of the West McDonald Ranges in Central Australia. When the sun is out, the mountainous rock formations glow vivid colours; bright orange, red and yellow!
The Larapinta hiking trail is one of Australia’s most spectacular bush walks.
This famous trail starts in the Western MacDonell Ranges, near Simpsons Gap.
Simpsons Gap is 23km | 14 miles from Alice Springs (15 - 20 minute drive).
Why is there a mountain range in the middle of Australia?
Once an inland sea, the mountains of Simpsons gap were once as high as the Himalayas! Over time, they have eroded to its current height and are still shrinking. Whilst sea levels have fluctuated dramatically over time, it’s predominantly wind and rain that shapes these rocks.
Unlike the Himalayas, Australia is in the middle of a tectonic plate - not on the edge of one. Despite science, rock dating and advancing technology, geologists are still unsure as to how these mountains have formed. The most likely theory suggests that there were pressures around the fringes of the Australian plate. These rocks were hot and/or wet, thus weak in form. Due to friction and push on the Australian plate edges, a crumpling effect occured, pushing these mountains high into the sky 300 - 350 million years ago!
STANDLEY CHASM
ANGKERLE ATWATYE
Angkerle Atwatye | Standley Chasm is approximately 50 kilometres | 31 miles west of Mparntwe | Alice Springs.
This striking natural rock formation in the West MacDonnell Ranges is a narrow 80 metre high chasm, carved through sandstoneby floodwaters over millions of years.
The chasm is most famous for its dramatic lighting effect when the midday sun illuminates the rock walls, creating a stunning display of deep, reds and oranges.
Angkerle Atwatye is a significant site for the Arrente as it has Sacred stories associated with women's ceremonies. Arrente believe that the chasm was formed by Caterpillar Ancestral Beings. The chasm was also a vital resource, providing shelter, water and bush foods to Arrente for 40 thousand years!
Today, the site remains under the Custodianship of local Arrente who manage it is a tourism and educational site.
Daisy Brown
'Tread Lightly with Purpose'
FOLLOW MY ADVENTURES &
REACH OUT AND SAY G'DAY!