Information AboutWoomera |
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A woomera is an Aboriginal Spear -throwing device. Having the same function as the American Atlatl , its main differences are only in materials and method of construction, and in that the woomera has had continued use into the 21st Century in some remote areas of Australia . The name ''woomera'' comes from the Eora Aboriginal tribe who were the original inhabitants of the Sydney area. Some woomeras, especially those used in the Central and Western Australia n Desert s, were multi-purpose tools. These woomeras were often shaped like long narrow bowls and could be used for carrying water-soaked vegetable matter (which could later be sucked for its moisture, but wouldn't spill) as well as small food items such as little lizards or seeds. Many woomeras had a sharp stone cutting edge attached to the end of the handle with black gum from the Spinifex plant. This sharp tool had many uses - and was commonly used for cutting up game or other food, cutting wood, and so on. The woomera could be used as a shield for protection against Spears and Boomerangs . Some boomerangs were deliberately made with a hook at one end designed to catch onto the edge of a woomera or shield, which then caused the boomerang to swivel around and hit the enemy. The woomera was traditionally decorated with incised or painted designs which gave a good indication of the owner's tribal or clan group. EXTERNAL LINK
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