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Australian Authentic Dreamtime Art offers an extensive range of products
to suit your every need. Click on a link below to find what you are
looking for.
About
Bullroarers
Most groups of aborigines used bullroarers during the traditional period.
Made of timber these implements were known by different names in different
areas. In contemporary times the European-given name "bullroarer"
has been in common usage.
In the traditional periods each bullroarer consisted of a flat piece of
timber, suspended from a string, which was either a sliced pieced of animal
hide, a dried animal sinew or woven threads of bark. The base of a bullroarer
could vary in diameter from fifteen centimetres to a metre and each one
was usually about one centimetre wide. Some were square, some round and
others oval in shape. Bullroarers were usually painted with totem images
and very highly decorated.
When in use, a bullroarer was swung forcibly above the users head. When
swung at arm’s length, it made an eerie whirring sound, which become
louder and more forceful as it was swung faster and faster. Its unusual
sound gave a dramatic air to the most sacred ceremonies and celebrations.
Some groups believed that the unusual sound of the bullroarer was the
voice of the great Creator Spirit. Bullroarers were regarded as sacred
in all areas and were only used by men. In some areas the women were never
permitted to see them, although they to would hear their exotic wail.
Australian Authentic Dreamtime Art has a range of Traditional style hand
painted and Contemporary style hand painted bullroarers in three different
sizes, 16cm, 22cm and 26cm, therefore offering a product for all budgets
and tastes.
