murrkka, wijjal, ngarrkani

In the old days human hair and animal fur was spun into two-ply string (ngarrkani) on wooden spindles made from two crossed sticks. String has many uses, from tying blades onto handles to making belts, slings, aprons, headbands and decorations worn when dancing. Feathers, red ochre and kangaroo teeth could be added to these ornaments. Today we make necklaces by threading seeds pierced with hot wires onto lengths of string. Hairstring is still a valuable trade item.