Uncle Dean Gilbert’s artefact presentation was delivered to Young High School Year 7 students at the Wiradjuri language class in May 2016. Here are some of the artefacts which featured in the presentation:
Coolamon
Artwork by Billy Stockman, depicting an aerial view of the land/terrain and waterholes. Billy Stockman Tjapaltjarri is an iconic figure in Aboriginal Art. His date of birth is set in approximately 1927 at Ilpitirri near Mount Denision in Central Australia. As a young man he worked as a stockman and this is where his nickname ‘Stockman’ came from.
It was traditionally used by women to carry babies and gather bush tucker, such as berries, fruit, etc.
Message sticks
These were used for spreading news of a corroboree ceremony or gathering, births and deaths. The markings on the wood told the message.
Clapping sticks
Clapping sticks are played by the women during song and dance rituals.
Nulla Nulla (or Bundi stick)
Men and women traditionally used these for hunting. The men would spear an animal and use the nulla nulla to knock it on the head, instantly killing it. Women used a nulla nulla on goannas. Goanna hunting was women’s business and is the Wiradjuri totem, so the animal is sacred and never eaten by the Wiradjuri people.
Didgeridoo
This particular didgeridoo is a Wiradjuri Mallee tree root, which was naturally hollowed out. Men play the didge during song and dance ceremonies.
Ininti beads
These beads are very sacred. They are made with seeds that are strung with human hair of the deceased. The ceremony with Ininti beads moves the deceased spirit on.
