International Museum Day

‘It is knowing that I am using the same techniques my ancestors have used for thousands of years that makes this so powerful.

‘Balga resin was a prized trading commodity and resource used by the Noongar people.

‘Resin is applied to strengthen pegs on spear-throwers and fix stone tools to wooden handles, creating objects like the kodj axe and taap knife which are unique to the south west.

‘The best resin mix combines balga resin, charcoal and organic material like grass or kangaroo poo.

‘Making a taap knife begins with crushing balga resin with a hammerstone.

‘The wood stick is then heated over fire and rolled in the crushed resin mix.

‘This process is repeated until it the desired amount of resin is achieved to firmly hold a stone tool.’ Brett Nannup

Today, on International Museums Day, Binjareb Noongar man, Brett Nannup, a member of our Western Australian Museum team, shares his traditional skills, demonstrating the knowledge, craft and technology behind significant cultural objects.

In recent months, we have all been forced to remove ourselves from our normal everyday lives, and distance ourselves from others to stay safe. Yet, in some respects, we have felt more like a community than ever before.

We all have the power to create, to make things, to express ourselves, and to pass on what we know to the next and future generations: this is how culture and history live. And this is what we have been doing at the Western Australian Museum: creating, making and sharing.

We are delighted to be able to do this in the digital realm, but we also look forward to welcoming you back when we re-open! #Our2020 #IMD2020 #DistantDiscoveries #MuseumAtHome