How to Make a Traditional Aboriginal Coolamon

How to Make a Traditional Aboriginal Coolamon

Why This Matters
The coolamon is a traditional Aboriginal wooden vessel used for carrying food, water, seeds, or even babies. It’s lightweight, durable, and beautifully crafted. Learning how to make one teaches precision, patience, and respect for natural resources, and gives insight into traditional bushcraft and daily life.

Materials Needed

• A suitable piece of wood (softwood like wattle or mallee works best)

• Simple carving tools (stone, knife, or modern equivalent)

• Sanding material (stone or rough leaves)

• Optional: natural fibers or bark for binding or decoration

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Select the Wood

   • Find a piece of soft, workable wood roughly the size you want your vessel.

   • Traditionally, Aboriginal people selected branches or slabs with natural curvature.

2. Shape the Vessel

   • Carve the outside into a shallow, elongated bowl shape.

   • Hollow out the inside carefully, keeping the walls even.

3. Smooth the Surface

   • Use stones, rough leaves, or sand to smooth the inside and outside.

   • This prevents splinters and improves durability.

4. Optional Decoration / Handles

   • Carve simple designs or attach natural fiber handles if needed.

   • Keep the vessel functional first; decoration comes second.

5. Use & Care

   • Can be used to carry water (lined with leaves), food, or other supplies.

   • Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight or rain for long periods to prevent cracking.

Survival Tips

• Coolamons are versatile — can also be used to collect firewood, forage food, or store edible plants.

• If you don’t have carving tools, you can adapt smaller natural bark vessels as a temporary solution.

Why This Hack Matters
The coolamon is more than just a container — it’s a lesson in resourcefulness, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Aboriginal people created functional tools with minimal impact on their environment, teaching us to make the most of what nature provides.


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