https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-02/Colour%20TV%20Mega%20Menu%203%20TVs_1000x745%20px.jpg
Karli Jalangu: Boomerang Today - number seven boomerang
Title:
Karli Jalangu: Boomerang Today - number seven boomerang
Year
2004
Warnings
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons
Four senior tribesmen introduce themselves and talk about going to look for a tree suitable for a number seven boomerang. Two of the Elders begin to chop down a tree they have chosen for making a number seven boomerang. They will use the boomerang to hit a kangaroo if they have no rifle.
Summary by Romaine Moreton
The making of a number seven boomerang, like many Indigenous artefacts, is a time-consuming process, often shared amongst the many people involved. We are on location in the area in which the senior tribesmen will select the right material from which to carve a number seven boomerang.
Karli Jalangu: Boomerang Today Synopsis
An observational-style documentary about the making of a number seven boomerang by four senior traditional men from Central Australia.
Karli Jalangu – Boomerang Today is part of the Nganampa Anwernekenhe series produced by Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) Productions. Nganampa Anwernekenhe means 'ours’ in the Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte lanuages, and the series aims to contribute to the preservation of Indigenous languages and cultures.
Curator's Notes
Karli Jalangu – Boomerang Today is an important documentary that is intended to pass on the traditional skill of making a number seven boomerang. The selection of the perfect tree, the harvesting and the carving of it to roughly shape the tree root into the number seven boomerang, is filmed at an observational pace. Choosing to film the senior men who carefully and slowly make their decisions during the process of producing the number seven boomerang allows the audience to get a feel for the energy, skill and collaboration on the creation of the weapon. It is a time-consuming process, and by the documentary’s end, we have no doubt of this.
Notes by Romaine Moreton
Production company
CAAMA Productions
Producer
Rachel Clements
Executive producer
Citt Williams
Director
Allan Collins and David Tranter
Writer
David Tranter
Cast
Teddy Egan, Jangala Alby, Morris Jampijinpa, Johnny Possum Japaljarri and Franky Japanangka
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia acknowledges Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and gives respect to their Elders both past and present.