Summary

This spear is made with a stone head that originated Ngilipidji, a quarry in the southeast corner of Arnhem Land near the Walker River. These stone heads are called ngambi and continue to be highly prized having been traded in the past across Arnhem Land. Each blade is carefully wrapped with paperbark to keep the sharp edges from being damaged before they are ready to be used. Large trade bundles of these blades were prepared by wrapping them further in large sheets of paperbark and then secured with string.

Local Name

ngambi

Physical Description

Composite spear with stone head wrapped in paperbark overwound with vegetable fibre string. Shaft is painted with natural pigments, and the design includes a band of diamond patterning. The shaft is cut short.

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