Alya irlpakerte (number 7 boomerang)
$575.00
An alye (boomerang) with the special shape of a number 7 is made from the root of the tree. The ‘#7’ is known as the ‘killer boomerang’ and is a weapon that belongs to men only. Traditionally they used to fight with them in combat or use them to finish off a kangaroo if it is still alive after being speared.
I am one of the founders of the Ltyentye Apurte Traditional Craft Centre (TCC). I didn’t really know anything about doing craft and bush tools until my big brother, Dean, showed me. That’s how I started and then I got the hang of it and the more I keep on doing it I get better and better. It’s changed my life. We can support our families and also we are doing something good for our community. They bring the school kids up to us once a week. I heard my little nephew saying they “can’t wait to go up to the craft centre”.
When I’m making a piece I think about how the old people did it. They just used a file or an axe. They’ve been through harder times. I still look up to them. I’m getting knowledge from them still. I really look up to my dad and his brothers before him. And a lot of the other old people around the community. That’s the main thing, still to be connected with your family. ‘Cause that’s important.
