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In this paper we situate the verbal arts of the Ngaanyatjarrapeople of the Western Desert of Australia within thediscourse surrounding the UNESCO concept of IntangibleCultural Heritage. We describe the rich heritage of oraltraditions that exist in the Ngaanyatjarra region, how theyemerged, how they are being sustained and the forcesof change that reveal their fragile state today. We givean account of the Western Desert Verbal Arts Project, adocumentation project that has, since 2010, collected,recorded and archived a spectrum of practices includingoral narratives, sand storytelling, alternate sign languageand special speech styles. These practices are embeddedin a speech community where the everyday indigenousspoken language is also considered endangered. Weconsider ways to not only safeguard these rarefied andextremely fragile verbal arts traditions, but also to bringthem to the fore as an integral aspect of the living heritageof the Ngaanyatjarra people.
