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Hooked boomerang

1895/1904

British Museum

British Museum
London, United Kingdom

Hooked boomerangs come from the north central region of the Northern Territory. Men would throw such boomerangs into flocks of parrots and ducks as they took off from waterholes. They fashioned them from the base of acacia trees, where the trunk meets the root, to give them strength. Hooked boomerangs were traded extensively from north central Australia to other regions.

Boomerangs were not used all over Australia and there was much variety in their manufacture. Returning boomerangs were common in south-eastern Australia. In the rainforests of north Queensland, cross boomerangs were used as playthings and sometimes in ceremonies. Some boomerangs were long and more like clubs, and were used in fighting.

The British Museum acknowledges contemporary cultural perspectives associated with the objects in its collection. Please note: cultural rights may apply to this object.

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  • Title: Hooked boomerang
  • Date Created: 1895/1904
  • Physical Dimensions: Length: 73.00cm; Width: 5.30cm; Length: 23.50cm (length of top piece)
  • External Link: British Museum collection online
  • Registration number: Oc1903,0404.73
  • Place: Found/Acquired Northern Territory
  • Peoples: Made by Warumungu
  • Material: wood; ochre
  • Copyright: Photo: © Trustees of the British Museum
  • Acquisition: Donated by Spencer, Baldwin. Donated by Gillen, Francis James
British Museum

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