Aboriginal Australian Alkwerte - Shield

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Jade Koekoe
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published on 21 December 2015
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Aboriginal Australian Alkwerte - Shield Download Full Size Image

Collected by Museum Victoria in the 1950's from the Arrente clan/language group of Alice Springs, Northern Territory. An Alkwerte was used for a range of purposes: as a shield, to help create fire and in ceremonial performances. These shields are also presented to young men during Apwelhe (initiation).

This shield was made using bat's wing coral tree, ochre and natural pigments. (Aboriginal Cultural Centre - Bunjilaka, Melbourne Museum)

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About the Author

Jade Koekoe
Jade is a Librarian with an avid interest in Roman and Greek architecture and ancient Middle-Eastern cultures.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Koekoe, J. (2015, December 21). Aboriginal Australian Alkwerte - Shield. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4366/aboriginal-australian-alkwerte---shield/

Chicago Style

Koekoe, Jade. "Aboriginal Australian Alkwerte - Shield." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified December 21, 2015. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4366/aboriginal-australian-alkwerte---shield/.

MLA Style

Koekoe, Jade. "Aboriginal Australian Alkwerte - Shield." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 21 Dec 2015. Web. 06 Mar 2025.

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