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Image Not Available for Paddle for a double Bardi raft
Paddle for a double Bardi raft
Image Not Available for Paddle for a double Bardi raft

Paddle for a double Bardi raft

Date1987
Object number00006787
NamePaddle
MediumWood
Dimensions43 x 985 x 100 mm, 0.65 kg
ClassificationsVessels and fittings
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA wooden paddle made for the Bardi raft (00001700). These paddles are known as 'gambana'. The Bardi are the traditional people of the area north of Broome and parts of the Dampier Peninsular in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.HistoryTo the Badi, the double raft was known as kalwa.The travellers used single bladed paddles, gambana, such as this one, carved from native cypress or gudigudi.SignificanceThis paddle is representative of traditional watercraft implements of the Bardi people of Western Australia.