Heading Menu Boomerangs Aboriginal Dreaming

A native Australian waiting for his meal Waiting for the meal
Boomerang a bent or curved piece of hard wood - usually mulga wood, used as a missile by the native Australians, the aboriginals. They were very profuse in the use of the boomerang, depending on this for capturing wild animals for food.
One form of the boomerang can be thrown to return to the thrower.

Hunting boomerangs, much larger in size, were crafted out of one original root or branch and were specifically used for hunting for food. Traditional Boomerangs for ritual use were usually much smaller in size and handsomely decorated.

This boomerang was made outside Alice Springs in the Northern Territory and is of mulga wood
Boomerang




Some of the wildlife that formed part of their diet.
With the use of their boomerangs, and their tuned hunting skills, they would seldom go hungry.

A flock of wild emus

Emus
Australia's largest bird, is very swift when pursued. They live in flocks and are very hardy birds.
Feathers and skin were also used, and the meat was a great standby.

Lizards
The Monitor Lizard, a huge species with black and yellow markings, were prime targets for aboriginals, providing a meal for several days. These lizards are very swift and climb trees to escape attack.
They live for many years and grow to a great size. The lizard is baked on coals - even the skin is often saved.

A Lizard


The boomerang was an important part of their lives, as seen in the painting below.

Native art work, near Katherine NT Australia Aboriginal art has very significant meanings.
The dreamtime serpent is often depicted in clay and bark paintings - each item represents some facet of aboriginal culture and closely relates to the then lifestyle of original Australian natives. Native art work, near Katherine NT


A boomerang joke:

Q. What do you call a boomerang that will not come back ?
A. A stick

More Aboriginal Art  - Mouse Pads
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