Pencil Yam and Pencil Yam Seed Dreaming
In the Dreamtime, two different seeds were born that created two different species of pencil yam. Kame, the tiny seed of the pencil yam called Atnwelarr, is a major Dreaming story for the people of Alhalkere.
The Atnwelarr is a trailing herb or creeper, sometimes covering large areas, with bright green leaves, yellow flowers and long skinny yams (swollen roots). These are an important food source which can be eaten raw or cooked in hot sand and ashes.
Artists who paint this story include: Emily Kame Kngwarreye (dec), Naomi Pwerle, Elizabeth Kunoth Kngwarreye, Bessie Petyarre, Dolly Mills Petyarre, Jennifer Purvis Kngwarreye, Greeny Purvis Petyarre (dec) and Jeannie Petyarre.
To view artists' work that we have of this Dreaming story (click on the links below)