Tjanpi Desert Weavers

Tjanpi Desert Weavers is a dynamic social enterprise of the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council. The organisation empowers a talented collective of Aboriginal women through the meaningful and culturally appropriate creation of beautiful contemporary fibre art on Country.

Tjanpi began in 1995 as a series of basket-making workshops facilitated by NPY Women’s Council. Based on traditional uses of natural fibres to make practical and culturally significant objects, the skills of basket weaving were quickly adopted and shared throughout neighbouring communities. Today, there are over 400 women across three states creating beautiful products with natural resources, bringing opportunities direct to Country. “We don’t have to leave our land to be basket makers” – Paniny Mick, Amata SA.

Tjanpi Desert Weavers offers an important opportunity for Anangu women to gain financial independence within their communities while developing skills and artworks to be proud of. Margaret Smith, Imanpa NT, explains “Community is a hard life, city life is easy life. Tjanpi is a way to put food on the table. Get money. Do good work and get good pay… It is something you like doing. It makes community happy, especially women. No jealousy. Everyone is happy and proud. Happy and proud of each other.”

At its core, Tjanpi embodies the energies and rhythms of country, culture and community. The organisation directly benefits artists and their families both financially and socially. Jennifer Mitchell, Papulankutja (Blackstone) WA shared “Family is where we learn from each other and how we hear all the news... When we do Tjanpi work we are working for our families.”