Artist Albert Namatjira was a Western Arrernte man.

Their ancestors spoke one or more of a group of related languages or dialects

Groups and country

The Arrernte comprise people who identify with different parts of their "country":

• Eastern Arrernte people live east of Alice Springs, their area includes Wallace Rockhole.
• Central Arrernte people live in the area centred on Alice Springs.
• Western Arrernte people traditionally live in the lands west of Alice Springs, out to Mutitjulu and King's Canyon.

Governance

The Arrernte Council is the representative and administrative body for the Arrernte lands. It is part of the Central Land Council.

Languages in the Arrernte group

The Arrernte languages are:

• Anmatjirra
• Alyawarr
• Ayerrerenge
• Antekerrepenhe
• Eastern Arrernte or Ikngerripenhe
• Central Arrernte or Mparntwe Arrernte
• Western Arrernte, Tyuretye Arrernte or Arrernte Alturlerenj
• Southern Arrernte or Pertame
• Lower Arrernte or Alenjerntarpe originates from the Finke River area

Tourism

Tourism is important to the economy of Alice Springs and surrounding communities, The Arrernte way of life is presented through tour guides and storytellers speaking of the life, their artwork, their culture and language in a variety of different ways. Tours are run regularly to Hermannsburg (Western Arrernte) and Wallace Rockhole (Eastern Arrernte).^[2]

See also

Arrernte mythology and spirituality focuses on the landscape and the Dreamtime, important creator spirits are, Altjira is the creator being of the Inapertwa that became all living creatures.

Tjurunga are objects of religious significance.

Two warships of the Royal Australian Navy have been named HMAS Arunta after the Arrernte people.

References

External links

• Arrernte Native Title
• Arrernte people at ANTS