Traditional Aboriginal Plant Resources in the Kalumburu Area: Aspects in Ethno-economics

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 9 years ago

Introduction: In traditional times, plant foods formed an extremely important part of Aboriginal diets in northern Kimberley, as well as serving as medicines, ichthyocides and the raw materials for the production of implements and ornaments. Despite their importance, very little information has been published on plant utilization by Aborigines living a traditional lifestyle in the bush, and of the few plants which have been mentioned in descriptions of Aboriginal life, only one, the waterlily, has previously been identified (Basedow 1929: 151). Generally, Aborigines are described as living on roots or 'yams', fruits and seeds. As an indication of the variety which exists under such general terms, this paper identifies 47 species of root crops and 49 species of fruit or seed used as food together with 11 species of medicinal plants, 6 species used to poison fish, and 24 species used to make implements. More would undoubtedly be found if fieldwork were carried out over a wider area.