indigenousevent

In Australia, scarring was practised widely, but is now restricted almost entirely to parts of Arnhem Land. Scarring is like a language inscribed on the body, where each deliberately placed scar tells a story of pain, endurance, identity, status, beauty, courage, sorrow or grief. Source: australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/body-art/abor...

Traditionally in Indigenous Australian culture, scarification was a signifier of a person's place in the community and an expression of identity, experience and beauty — almost a non-verbal language carved right onto the skin. "Once you became initiated, you'd get a scarring done, so that when you're out in the world people would know that you had gone through lore," Torres explains. Torres is an educator in the Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (BRAMS), where he counsels prisoners to quit smoking. Source: www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-13/michael-jalaru-torres-expl...

Hunting Spears: Hunting spears are usually made from Tecoma vine. These vines are not straight but in fact curly. To straighten them the maker dries out the moisture by heating the branch over a small fire while it is still green. While doing this he shapes it into the form that he wants. A wooden barb is attached to the spearhead by using kangaroo (sometimes emu) sinew. the opposite end is then tapered to fit onto a spear thrower. On completion, the spear is usually around 270 centimeters (9 feet) long. Spear Thrower/Woomera A spear-thrower is also commonly known as a Woomera or Miru. The spear-thrower is usually made from mulga wood and has a multi-function purpose. It is however primarily designed to launch a spear. The thrower grips the end covered with spinifex resin and places the end of the spear into the small peg on the end of the woomera. The spear can then be launched with substantial power at an enemy or prey. Inserted in the spinifex resin of the handle of many spear throwers is a very sharp piece of quartz rock. This is used for cutting, shaping, or sharpening. The spear-thrower was also used as a fire-making saw, as a receptacle of mixing ochre, in ceremonies, and also to deflect spears in battle. Source: mbantua.com.au/weapons/

Aboriginal breastplates (also called king plates or aboriginal gorgets) were a form of regalia used in pre-Federation Australia by white colonial authorities to recognise those they perceived to be local Aboriginal leaders. The breastplates were usually metallic crescent-shaped plaques worn around the neck by the wearer. Aboriginal people did not traditionally have kings or chiefs. They lived in small clan groups with several elders—certain older men and women—who consulted with each other on decisions for the group. By appointing kings of tribes, and granting them king plates, the white colonial powers went against the more collegiate grain of traditional Aboriginal culture. Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aboriginal_breastplate#:~:text=Abor...(also%20called%20king,around%20the%20neck%20by%20wearer.