New Edition of Traditional Aboriginal Healers of Central Australia: Ngangkari

Celebrating the lives, histories and healing practices of ngangkari from the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Lands.

This beautiful new edition brings together powerful new life stories, photographic portraits and striking artworks by some of Australia’s most highly respected artists and ngangkari. It offers a rare and intimate insight into one of the world’s oldest and most enduring healing traditions.

We are recording all these stories to leave behind in this book. Stories from the people from earlier times who came out of the spinifex to put their knowledge on paper. Now we’ve added our own stories so that, in the future, people will see them as well. 
— Marita Baker 

For countless generations, ngangkari (NUN-ka-ree) have cared for the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of their people — drawing on deep cultural knowledge passed down through families and Country.

First published in 2013, Traditional Healers of Central Australia: Ngangkari marked the first time ngangkari had openly shared their stories, culture and healing work in such depth and detail. This new edition continues that legacy — reaffirming that ngangkari are still here, still working, and still passing on their power and knowledge to future generations.

We are still here. We are still working ngangkari. We are still passing on ngangkari power and the knowledge of how to use it. But we need to keep teaching so there can be more understanding about our work. 
— Imitjala Pantjiti Lewis

Traditional Healers of Central Australia: Ngangkari – New Edition is a deeply moving and essential book for anyone interested in Aboriginal culture, healing, and the strength of intergenerational knowledge.

Every purchase supports the NPY Women’s Council Ngangkari Program, helping sustain Aboriginal-led healing and cultural knowledge for generations to come.

With thanks to the Anangu Communities Foundation and Aboriginal Investment NT for their generous support in bringing this publication to life.