During my time in Melbourne, I actually decided to go to the Melbourne Museum and see the history of the country and region. One of the biggest cultural item I actually found was an aboriginal cultural item from the natives who lived in Australia before colonization. They were these wooden painted sculptures called Bagu and Jiman. They were these fire-making tools used by those who lived in the Girringun Rainforest. Bagu is the wooden sculpture itself and Jiman is the wooden sticks accompanied behind or attached. Bagu is represented in the shape of man, Chikka-bunnah, and the essence of spirit is portrayed through the colors.
Bagu is actually the fire spirit who would throw fire sticks (Jiman) across the sky. It was good luck to use these tools, but they were also burned directly into the fire to help keep it alive. As one can assume, in a rainforest, it is very difficult to keep a fire alive, so there was a tribal member dedicated to keeping the fire alive. This member would have to find dry tinder and leaves to light and kindle the fire, as well as use the Bagu and Jiman.
The preservation of this kind of culture and these techniques are actually still used by some who are aboriginal descendants. The aboriginal people have struggled to gain support and the preservation of their lifestyle after so many years of oppression and invasion. These kinds of traditions and techniques still being used are culturally significant to the history of Australia and I hope can be continued throughout the future.