June 2024

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Rainforest Shield

Traditional shields were carved from a single piece of timber cut from side of the buttress root of a rainforest fig-tree. The kidney shaped shields are unique to the rainforest Bama of Far North Queensland. They were decorated with clan, totem or moiety designs using natural ochres and a water, fat or blood binder.

Shields were primarily used for deflecting spears in tribal fighting in conjunction with large rainforest swords.

Shields were usually made and painted by senior men and were a significant personal possession of adult males.

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Kirbaji (Dugong)

In the past, Kirbaji (dugong) was an important food source. It was men’s business to hunt dugongs and it was their responsibility to cook and provide the meat to all the families. The meat of the dugong was cooked in an earth oven.

Our ancestors also made oil form the dugong fat. They used the oil for medicinal purposes. They used it for skin and hair treatments. When people had an upset stomach they used the oil as an ointment.

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Kirbaji (Dugong)

In the past, Kirbaji (dugong) was an important food source. It was men’s business to hunt dugongs and it was their responsibility to cook and provide the meat to all the families. The meat of the dugong was cooked in an earth oven.

Our ancestors also made oil form the dugong fat. They used the oil for medicinal purposes. They used it for skin and hair treatments. When people had an upset stomach they used the oil as an ointment.

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Yindili (Kingfisher)

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Kurriyala (Carpet Snake)

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Mossman River Design

The spirals represents the ripples and water pools of Mossman River.

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Mossman River Design

The spirals represents the ripples and water pools of Mossman River.

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Mossman River Design

The spirals represents the ripples and water pools of Mossman River.

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Snake

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Diwan (Scrub Turkey)

Many years ago, our ancestors lived in harmony with the rainforest and other parts of the land, they learnt different ways of hunting and gathering for food. The women would collect Diwan (Scrub Turkey) eggs. Each Diwan can lay up to 15-20 eggs. The women gather the eggs by using their hands to dig deep into the nest, the eggs are found in the warmest area of the nest.