CULTURE CONNECT
THE THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION IS HELPING THE MUSEUM SHARE KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION FROM THE COLLECTION WITH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, SAYS THE MUSEUM’S MARIKO SMITH.
carrying
MESSAGE STICK For many thousands of years, Aboriginal people have used message sticks – small pieces of wood, carved or painted with symbols – to convey important information between neighbouring groups. Messengers were generally granted safe passage as they passed through often-fiercely defended territories. Upon arrival at their destination, the messenger would be received by the Elders who would read and interpret the message and respond in accordance with protocols. The messages they conveyed covered wide-ranging topics from invitations or notices about upcoming ceremonies and celebrations, details about the messenger’s credentials and privilege of safe passage (like a visa) to a call for warriors to come together for battle.
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Explore 36(1) Autumn/Winter 2014
