The coolamon in this picture is at top left. It is lined with paperbark, often done when used as a cradle for newborns.

A coolamon is an Indigenous Australian carrying vessel. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1600x1067, 492 KB) Aborinal craft made from weaving grass - National Botanical Gardens File links The following pages link to this file: Indigenous Australians ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1600x1067, 492 KB) Aborinal craft made from weaving grass - National Botanical Gardens File links The following pages link to this file: Indigenous Australians ... The coolamon in this picture is at top left. ... The plant genus Melaleuca is part of the Myrtle family (Myrtaceae) and presently contains about 170 species. ... Australian Aborigines are the indigenous peoples of Australia. ... Vessel can refer to any of the following: Objects Vessel (French vaissel, from a rare Latin vascellum, diminuitive of vas, vase, or urn), a word of somewhat wide application for many objects, the meaning common to them being capacity to hold or contain something. ...

It is an all-purpose shallow vessel, or dish with curved sides, ranging in length from 30–70cm, and similar in shape to a canoe. Vessel can refer to any of the following: Objects Vessel (French vaissel, from a rare Latin vascellum, diminuitive of vas, vase, or urn), a word of somewhat wide application for many objects, the meaning common to them being capacity to hold or contain something. ... Look up Dish in Wiktionary, the free dictionary For a dish in the sense of a type of prepared food, see recipe. ...

Coolamons were traditionally used by Aboriginal women to carry water, fruits, nuts, as well as to cradle babies. They were carried on the head when travelling any distance, or under the arm if used as a cradle. If carried on the head, a ring pad (akartne in Arrernte) was placed on the head, made out of possum and/or human hair string and twisted grass. This helped to cushion and support the carriage of the coolamon; the same purpose as those used by women in India and Africa to carry vessels on their head. (Sudanese woman, Indian women). Arrernte (or Aranda) is a language or group of closely related languages spoken in and around Alice Springs (Mparntwe in Arrernte) in the Northern Territory, Australia. ... For other uses, see Africa (disambiguation). ...

Coolamons were used for winnowing grains in the traditional bread-making process, as well as a general heating and cooking vessel. Wind winnowing is a method developed by ancient cultures for agricultural purposes. ... Bush bread refers to the bread made by Australian Aborigines for many thousands of years. ...

Making the coolamon

A scarred tree, probably used to make a coolamon (Parramatta, NSW). Photo by Jens-Uwe Korff.

Coolamons are generally made by the men. They are usually made from a hardwood such as mallee. A piece of the outer bark of the tree is removed, then moulded over the fire to give it its distinctive curved sides. It must be left to stand for a number of days, with a stick of wood holding it open to prevent it losing its shape. It may also be made of a knot, or excrescence (“wirree”), from a tree. Image File history File links AboriginalScarredTree(Parramatta,NSW). ... Image File history File links AboriginalScarredTree(Parramatta,NSW). ... Beech is a typical temperate zone hardwood The term hardwood designates wood from angiosperm trees. ... The term mallee has several separate but inter-related meanings. ...

Coolamons were often ornately decorated on their exterior with various etchings – depicting tribal insignia and totemic designs. They were also used in ceremonies, such as for aromatic smoking, which was believed to have purifying effects. ... A ceremony is an activity, infused with ritual significance, performed on a certain occasion. ...

Some names for Coolamon in other Aboriginal languages

Coolamon is a word from the east coast of Australia, used by Murri, or Queensland Aborigines, as well as by the Dharug, or Eora people from the Sydney area. Some other names include: The Australian Aboriginal languages comprise several language families and isolates native to Australia and a few nearby islands, but by convention excluding Tasmania. ... The Murri are the indigenous Australians that traditionally occupied most of modern-day Queensland. ... Emblems: Faunal - Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus); Floral - Cooktown orchid (Dendrobium bigibbum); Bird - Brolga (Grus rubicunda); Aquatic - Barrier Reef Anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos); Gem - Sapphire; Colour - Maroon Motto: Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Const. ... Darug may refer to: Darug people Darug language Category: ... The Eora (sometimes spelt Iora or Iyora) people were the aboriginal occupants of the Sydney region in 1788 when the first European colonists arrived. ... The Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour Sydney (pronounced ) is the most populous city in Australia with a metropolitan area population of over 4. ...

Name(s)	Language(s)
piti	Pitjantjatjara, Martu Wangka
pitchi, bindgie, bingie	Ualarai
binguie	Wollaroi
dondee (small), kittee (big)	Kutthung
tarnuk
urtne	Arrernte
yoko	Kaurna

Pitjantjatjara is the name of both an Aboriginal people (or Anangu) of the Central Australian desert and their language. ... Worimi or Gadjang (also spelt Kattang, Kutthung, Gadhang, Gadang) is an extinct Australian Aboriginal language. ... Arrernte (or Aranda) is a language or group of closely related languages spoken in and around Alice Springs (Mparntwe in Arrernte) in the Northern Territory, Australia. ... Kaurna refers to the indigenous or aboriginal people and language of the Adelaide Plains of South Australia. ...

See also

• Scarred trees
• Bush bread

Bush bread refers to the bread made by Australian Aborigines for many thousands of years. ...

References

• Aboriginal bowls & baskets
• Photo from British Museum
• Aboriginal Economy & Society
• Arrernte Dictionary
• Making bush bread from bean tree
• Artwork showing woman carrying coolamon