Luritja
Luritja is a name used to refer to several dialects of the Western Desert Language, and thereby also to the people who speak these varieties, and their traditional lands.
Area
The Luritja lands include areas to the west and south of Alice Springs, extending around the edge of Arrernte country. The area surrounding Papunya, including Mount Liebig is often referred to as Papunya Luritja, both in land and language, while areas to the south-east around Finke and Maryvale are often referred to as Titjikala Luritja (Titjikala is the Luritja name for Maryvale). The area around Kings Canyon is also referred to as Luritja country. The variety of Luritja spoken at Kintore is often referred to as Pintupi/Luritja.
Papunya Luritja
Papunya Luritja is the variety of Luritja spoken around the community of Papunya, and also west through Mt Liebig to Kintore. Like Luritja generally, Papunya Luritja is a dialect of the Western Desert Language and is closely related to the Pintupi language of the Kintore area. Papunya Luritja has probably also been influenced by Arrernte and Warlpiri.
Titjikala Luritja
This variety of Luritja is also a dialect of the Western Desert Language, and is very similar to Papunya Luritja, however it shows notable differences, probably having been influenced by more southern varieties of Arrernte, Pitjantjatjara and Antikirinya.
Population
The total population of Luritja people (including Papunya Luritja) is probably in the thousands making them the 3rd largest of the Central Australian aboriginal populations, behind Arrente and Pitjantjatjara.
Artwork
The Luritja area relies heavily on the sale of artwork, and Luritja artwork has a large number of famous artists, and many companies that specifically cater for the sale of Luritja art. The Papunya Tula company in particular is world-renowned for its artists, most of whom reside at Papunya and Kintore.
Petrol Sniffing
Petrol sniffing is a problem throughout traditional Australian Aboriginal communities, but it is much more serious in the Luritja lands. A recent government report stated that there were 80 petrol sniffers in Papunya alone, and as many as 500 throughout the lands, making up a much higher proportion than any other Australian Aboriginal country. In May 2005, a federal government inquiry commenced to look in to this problem, specifically targetting Papunya.