Summary

Harpooning a dugong and turtle was a highly skilled undertaking and used by a man standing upright in a canoe. The metal head would be attached to a long wooden harpoon shaft that would be launched at the animal as it surfaced. The head would detach from the harpoon while remaining attached to the rope and the lightwood float that enabled the animal to be tracked and finally caught.

Local Name

Mungariu'kur

Physical Description

Harpoon made of rope and a float. Dugong rope wound around a circular section of light wood. A metal point is attached to the other end of the rope.

More Information