indigenous MATERIAL use
Kuku Yalanji people are coastal rainforest people who live in total dependence and harmony with nature and the environment. The Daintree is a home to many bush foods, medicines, and material, that is relied on for their survival.
Aboriginal societies varied within the area which meant that the plant use also varied. |
Types of indigenous Material
SHELTERS - HUMPIES
Shelters built in the past ranged from semi-permanent shelters to basic shade or overnight shelters. They are occasionally built today. The materials used depend on the availability of different plants. Basic framework is usually constructed from saplings stuck in the ground and bent towards each other to be tied together with vines or lawyers cane in a series of arches. A variety of materials are used for thatching such as:
A significant material is the waterproof paperbark which are cut from trunks with a stone axe as sheets. The sections of the bark are layered, starting from the bottom. This ensured rain wouldn't seep through, but run off. Lawyer cane was then put on top to prevent the bark from being blown off.
Shelters built in the past ranged from semi-permanent shelters to basic shade or overnight shelters. They are occasionally built today. The materials used depend on the availability of different plants. Basic framework is usually constructed from saplings stuck in the ground and bent towards each other to be tied together with vines or lawyers cane in a series of arches. A variety of materials are used for thatching such as:
- Fan palm fronds
- Blady grass
- Lawyer cane
- Ginger leaves
A significant material is the waterproof paperbark which are cut from trunks with a stone axe as sheets. The sections of the bark are layered, starting from the bottom. This ensured rain wouldn't seep through, but run off. Lawyer cane was then put on top to prevent the bark from being blown off.
SEASONAL CUES
Plants and animals provided Aboriginals with useful seasonal cues. 'Calendar plants' show plant or animal calls and developments which indicate a time to hunt or collect a particular animal or plant. Some examples include:
Plants and animals provided Aboriginals with useful seasonal cues. 'Calendar plants' show plant or animal calls and developments which indicate a time to hunt or collect a particular animal or plant. Some examples include:
- Tail of willy wagtail turns white - cycads on the coastal hills are ripe
- Black locust first sang - time to go back to the tablelands to harvest black pine nuts
- Rush grass flowers - scrub flow eggs are collected
- Other plants signal the best time for building up fish traps – this is very logical because fish are easier to catch in drier season when food is scarce than later on in the year when fruit falls into the rivers providing them with abundant alternatives
SPEARS, SHIELDS AND FIRESTICKS
Spears were generally made by cutting the end of a straight long stick into four parts. Then sand or stones were inserted to add weight. The pointed wood or bone end was then glued on with the softened sap of trees. This was found from the euodia and tied on with macaranga fibre. Shields and boomerangs were often cut off the buttresses of rainforest trees.
Firesticks are an essential item that come in two parts. The upper stick is a soft wood such as the flowering stem of the grass tree of a fine branch of macaranga or native guava. The base is made with less soft wood which is why milky pine is generally used. The upper stick is slotted into a notch in the base and twirled rapidly between the palms of the hand. This results in a spark caught onto the soft material, such as coconut fibre and fanned until flame appears.
Macaranga is a very common tree with soft timber, providing light spears for fishing and fire sticks. The bark fibres are sometimes used for string and the large leaves for plates, cups and wrapping food (e.g. snake segments, when being cooked).
Spears were generally made by cutting the end of a straight long stick into four parts. Then sand or stones were inserted to add weight. The pointed wood or bone end was then glued on with the softened sap of trees. This was found from the euodia and tied on with macaranga fibre. Shields and boomerangs were often cut off the buttresses of rainforest trees.
Firesticks are an essential item that come in two parts. The upper stick is a soft wood such as the flowering stem of the grass tree of a fine branch of macaranga or native guava. The base is made with less soft wood which is why milky pine is generally used. The upper stick is slotted into a notch in the base and twirled rapidly between the palms of the hand. This results in a spark caught onto the soft material, such as coconut fibre and fanned until flame appears.
Macaranga is a very common tree with soft timber, providing light spears for fishing and fire sticks. The bark fibres are sometimes used for string and the large leaves for plates, cups and wrapping food (e.g. snake segments, when being cooked).
ROPE
The hibiscus plant was a very resourceful plant for the indigenous people in the rainforest. It had few uses, one being rope. When part of the branch was pulled off, it made a strong and durable material. Rope was a very useful tool in the rainforest and is still used today. The hibiscus flower petals were also used by Indigenous people to prevent dehydration.
The hibiscus plant was a very resourceful plant for the indigenous people in the rainforest. It had few uses, one being rope. When part of the branch was pulled off, it made a strong and durable material. Rope was a very useful tool in the rainforest and is still used today. The hibiscus flower petals were also used by Indigenous people to prevent dehydration.
PAINT - OCHRE
Ochre is a natural earth pigment which ranges from white to a dark orange or brown. The Indigenous used ochre in culture and art. The Kuku Yalanji as well as other tribes used ochre paint for the recognition of different tribes. This was used to show visitors or trespassers on other peoples land. On their forearm they would draw their totem, their family members, and their tribe. This made it easier to identify different people. |
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WATER SOURCE
The Indigenous used the nearby stream to provide enough water for the tribe. This stream provided some of the cleanest and freshest water in the world. This was used by the indigenous for both drinking and cleansing.
The Indigenous used the nearby stream to provide enough water for the tribe. This stream provided some of the cleanest and freshest water in the world. This was used by the indigenous for both drinking and cleansing.
WEAVING, BAGS, BASKETS, etc.
Weaving and thatching was very practical for the Indigenous people in the rainforest. Weaving was used to make bags and baskets which were useful when it came to collecting foods such as ripe fruits, nuts and fauna. The number of grasses used included:
Weaving and thatching was very practical for the Indigenous people in the rainforest. Weaving was used to make bags and baskets which were useful when it came to collecting foods such as ripe fruits, nuts and fauna. The number of grasses used included:
- Pale rush (Juncus pallidus)
- White flag iris (Diplarrena moraea)
- Forest flax lily (Dianella tasmanica)