Yulunga: kandomarngutta
TLF ID M006559
In some parts of Australia children were allowed to use the bullroarer (whirlers), or small versions of it, as a source of amusement. In other areas the bullroarer had a special significance and was not used as a ‘toy’. In parts of Victoria a bullroarer called the kandomarngutta was used. This was a thin piece of wood, oval, about 10 centimetres in length and about 5 centimetres in width. It was tied to a string and swung to cause a humming noise. In the north-west central districts of north Queensland bullroarers were used by either gender and at any age. In the Bloomfield River area it was called teripa, at Lower Tully chachalmo, and at Cape Grafton birbobirbo. These were playthings and varied in size from 8 to 15 centimetres in length. They were never engraved, although they were occasionally painted. This activity is related to swinging a ‘bullroarer’ to make a noise (roar). The Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games resource was developed to provide all Australians with a greater understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture by celebrating the games that Indigenous Australians have been playing across the country for hundreds of years.