Her grandfather reached out and touched the earth. Then you must remember the word manta. It means the ground, the earth itself. No matter where you go, the manta is beneath your feet. It is the same earth that connects all of us, from the red sands of the desert to the paved streets of the city. If you feel lost, just stand still and feel the manta. It will remind you of who you are.

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| Word | Meaning / Cultural context | |------|----------------------------| | Tjukurpa | Dreaming / law / creation story / foundation of knowledge — not a myth, but lived truth | | Ṉaṉku | Shame, respect, obligation — a powerful social emotion that controls behaviour | | Kurunpa | Spirit / soul — can leave the body during dreaming or illness | | Mapanpa | Wisdom / knowing — often tied to Tjukurpa and survival knowledge | | Iruntju | Shelter / windbreak — also metaphorically a support or protection | | Piti | Wooden bowl used to carry water, food, or babies | | Inma | Ceremony / song / dance — cultural performance | | Ṫaṯa | Body painting / design — linked to Tjukurpa stories |

Luritja looked around their ngura. She saw the familiar tents, the smoke from the other campfires, and the vast, open sky that felt like a protective roof. She thought of her best friend and felt a warm glow inside.