This film records the 1948 expedition to Arnhem Land sponsored by the National Geographical Society and the Smithsonian Institution. It shows the life of First Nations people of the sea coast at Yirrkala in the north-eastern corner of Arnhem Land. Demonstrates how, as children, they learn to handle canoes made from bark and as adults how they use them for fishing and hunting turtle. Shows how the canoes are made by stripping bark from a tree. The women of the tribe do the camp chores, collect firewood, make string bags, hunt goannas, and search for food plants.
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How to watch
This work has been digitised and can be viewed in the display above.
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Previously on display
22 April 2019
ACMI Viewing Booths
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
000047
Language
English
Audience classification
Mediatheque - all ages (ACMI classified)
Subject categories
Aboriginal Australia → Aboriginal Australians - Hunting
Aboriginal Australia → Aboriginal Australians - Northern Territory
Aboriginal Australia → Aboriginal Australians - Social life and customs
Aboriginal Australia → Arnhem Land (N.T.)
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Arnhem Land (N.T.)
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Australia - Exploring expeditions
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Yirrkala (N.T)
Documentary → Documentary films - Australia
History → Australia - Exploring expeditions
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
16mm film; Preservation Print (Section 5)
16mm film; Access Print (Section 1)
16mm film; Limited Access Print (Section 2)