Uluru stories - Kuniya & Liru



Long, long ago, there was a young Kuniya (python) boy was surprised and ambushed by a Liru (poisonous snake). Liru threw spears at the boy striking him and killing him. The spears were thrown so hard that holes were left in the rock of Uluru, which can still be seen. The boys aunt felt the evil that happened to her nephew and went to search for the Liru, leaving traces of her tracks around Uluru. When the python woman (the Kuniya of the story) found her nephew she fell to her knees in mourning. Liru, seeing this, began to mock Kuniya. In her grief
and anger, Kuniya took her digging stick and struck Liru three times, killing him. This is the only spot on Uluru where water from the rock runs red. Even though Liru was dead, Kuniya curled up on the spot and keeps watch for his return.

The first photo shows the path of Kuniya and the second shows her curled up watching for Liru's return. If you look at the rock, the top of it looks like the head of a snake resting on it's coiled up body.

Aboriginal women still cut themselves on their forehead to show they are in mourning. The story is told to young boys to teach them respect for their elders and for those who have passed on.

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