221382209680

Published by on

Fishing Spear

This spear is representative of Aboriginal skill and ability to create something functional out of found or reclaimed materials. From nothing, a functional spear can be made, and food can be placed on the table to feed family.

Consisting of a spear shaft and spines to spear a fish or cherabin (freshwater prawn), it is simple yet deadly effective in the right hands.

Spear shaft is found from fast growing plants surrounding billabongs and wet areas. It is barked off and then steamed in a fire and gently straightened. Spines are stainless steel and have been repurposed from an oven grill tray. They are sharpened to a deadly point and lashed to the tip of the spear using heavy weight fishing line. Gaffa tape sits over the top of the fishing line to further reinforce and hold everything in place.

Traditionally a bush string would be used, and protected with bees wax to harden and cure. In this instance what can be found on hand can still create a deadly hunting implement ready to provide food for the communal table.

Categories: Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation

Name: Jason Garmu

Language: Yolngu

Community: Wugularr (Beswick)

Biography:

Jason is a self taught specialist in the art of making hunting implements including spear, bondock, boomerang, shield, and "jumbar-jumbar" or nula-nula/fighting stick.

Using a mix of traditional techniques and materials, through to modern "on hand at the time" components, all his hunting implements are functional. Some may be single use, but in the right hands are deadly. This crafting skill came from a desire to provide for self through hunting. As a young child he often needed a spear. He would use one, then go back to camp, and create a fresh one; Learn, rinse, repeat.

Bush tucker knowledge came from always being out on country & hunting. Cooking traditional ways went hand in hand with this.

Jason is a traditional Bungul dancer and occasionally plays didj for this ceremony.

Related Posts

Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation

221382336125

Lorrkon Wood carving has always been part of Aboriginal culture and Djilpin artists continue this tradition. Men carved wood for many purposes – tools for hunting or gathering food, axes and knives for building shelters, Read more…

Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation

221382336124

Lorrkon Wood carving has always been part of Aboriginal culture and Djilpin artists continue this tradition. Men carved wood for many purposes – tools for hunting or gathering food, axes and knives for building shelters, Read more…

Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation

221382336123

Nula Nula Wood carving has always been part of Aboriginal culture and Djilpin artists continue this tradition. Men carved wood for many purposes – tools for hunting or gathering food, axes and knives for building Read more…

© the artist / art centre