How were boomerangs used in aboriginal culture?

Answer 1

In the hands of traditional indigenous Australians, boomerangs had a number of uses.

Hunting boomerangs came in two forms. One form was non-returning, and these boomerangs were thrown with force at an animal, usually at its legs so that it was temporarily disabled, then killed with a spear. The other form was returning, and these boomerangs were used for herding birds or animals towards a particular location where they could then be caught easily.

Boomerangs were also used in ceremonies and corroborees. Such ceremonial boomerangs had a significant role in retelling of the aboriginal 'Dreamtime' stories, and were painted in such a way as to render the main details of an event. These paintings were then rubbed off after the ceremony or corroboree, and reused on another occasion. These boomerangs might also be used as clap-sticks around a campfire.

Boomerangs could be a practical tool, often used by the women as digging sticks.

Answer 2

It depended on the type of boomerang.

Returning boomerangs were used for games and also for killing small birds.

Non-returning boomerangs were used for hunting as they could render prey unconscious, thereby enabling an easy kill.

They were used as tools also, such as for digging, scraping, clearing land and a fire-Poker. They were even used for carving cooked meat.

There was a third category of boomerangs, those used purely for ceremonial purposes.

Answer 3

Boomerangs are made in many shapes and sizes. Most of them are ceremonial, but they are also made specifically for hunting.

Answer 4

By finding a piece of wood that was basically the right shape and scraping it down until it was the right shape.

Answer 5

A boomerang is shaped like an open v. How long it takes depends on your woodworking skills.

Answer 6

To kill animals.