Coolamon
Maker
Bella Marrajabu Charlie
Date1993
Object number00016756
NameCoolamon
MediumBark, string
DimensionsOverall: 125 x 790 mm, 0.4 kg
Display Dimensions: 100 x 145 x 790 mm
Display Dimensions: 100 x 145 x 790 mm
ClassificationsTools and equipment
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA bark and string coolamon made by Bella Marrajabu (Charlie), from Borroloola, Northern Territory.
This coolamon is made from one piece of bark from the nakulkarra wood (tea tree) which comes from the lagoon area the Adala country. The bark was heated over a fire after being stripped from the tree which makes it possible to flatten out then reshape. It is then pleated to a point at each end and tied with string made from the mardadarki (kurrajong) tree.
Coolamons are very versatile and used for a variety of purposes including carrying food, water or children or as a cooking utensil.
Language: Yanyuwa.HistoryThe Yanyuwa people use coolamons for carrying food, water, small children and utensils although it is only the older Yanyuwa women like Bella Marrajabu who still makes them. The Yanyuwa people make their coolamons by pleating the bark of paper bark or stringy bark trees. Bella takes full advantage of the beautiful patterns on the bark by only using minimal shaping and instead subtly following the line of natural grain and the texture of the fibre itself.SignificanceBella Marrajabu was asked to make these coolamons by the Australian National Maritime Museum in 1993 to illustrate what kind of tools and equipment were carried by people on their sewn bark canoes.
