World's oldest boating culture revisited
We’re girt by sea in the land of Oz, and have been for more than 60,000 years, which is why Sydney’s Australian National Maritime Museum will host the first major national conference on indigenous boating.
Entitled Nawi, the conference will run from May 30 to June 1, and will address the fact that there has been no significant national study of indigenous vessels or survey of craft in museums and other collections. This is despite the widespread variation in type, materials and construction technologies in traditional indigenous watercraft across the country.
Organisers say the Nawi conference hopes to create a national picture of this significant area of Australia's maritime history. It aims to bring together communities, researchers and museums with a common interest in indigenous watercraft and river and ocean voyages and stories.
Throughout the conference sessions will be held on a range of subjects including stories and tradition, diversity and design, trade and navigation, imagery and materials and techniques.