Coolamon

Maker Jemima Miller (1940)

Date1993

Object number00016758

NameCoolamon

MediumBark, string

DimensionsOverall: 119 mm, 0.8 kg

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionA coolamon made by Jemima Miller a-Wuwarlu, a senior Yanyuwa woman of the Mambaliya-Wawukarriya clan in Borrolooa, 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. Country is Wubunjawa and Lurriyarri. Dreaming is Kurkdarrku (Brolga). HistoryThis coolamon is made by a single piece of nakulkarra bark (tea tree) from the teatree which comes from the lagoon area the Adala country. The bark is 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. A coolamon is used for a variety of purposes including carrying food, water, children or as a cooking utensil.SignificanceJemima Miller a-Wuwarlu 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.