Historical information

A coolamon is an Indigenous Australian carrying vessel.
It is a multi-purpose shallow vessel, or dish with curved sides, ranging in length from 30–70 cm, and similar in shape to a canoe.
Coolamons or pitchis were traditionally used by Aboriginal women to carry water, fruits, nuts, as well as to cradle babies.

Significance

The necessary tools and equipment for hunting, fishing and warfare were one of the very few items that Aboriginals carried with them from place to place. Most were used for a multiplicity of purposes. Because many were made from raw natural materials, such as wood, generally only partial remains are found today. This container is an example of an implement used by the early Indigenous people of Eastern Australia.

Physical description

A large shallow elongated hand-made wooden receptacle used by Australian aborigines as a container for food and drink or for carrying babies.