boomerangs used in vanuatu

Ian · 4th March 2026, 08:27 PM

Ausjulius,

Terminology is very important here. If we trace the history of "boomerang" in the English lexicon, it derives from a term used by one of the indigenous groups around the early colony of Port Jackson (Sydney). The native group used this word exclusively for a curved flattened wooden stick that would fly in a circle and return to the thrower. There were other native words used to describe a range of sticks or clubs that did not return when thrown. The terminology of what is a boomerang and what is not has been discussed well by Tony Butz in his online article: What is a Boomerang? An investigation of the word “boomerang” in Aboriginal and English languages. Butz is a former history teacher and linguist, past editor of the Boomerang Bulletin, and the founder of the Boomerang Throwing Association of New South Wales. According to Butz, "if it does not return, it's not a boomerang." He provides early references to illustrate this point.

Misuse of the term boomerang is common, especially among those outside Australia. The use of "non-returning boomerang" to describe a throw-stick makes no sense based on the origin of the word boomerang. First contact Indigenous Australians knew what a boomerang was and gave it a name distinct from other throw-sticks that did not return when thrown. Subsequently, English-speaking groups got it wrong and frequently called a curved throwing stick a boomerang regardless of whether it returned. A mistake that has been propagated widely.

As part of a new project on these pages, I have been collecting and summarizing data on the weapons of people in Australasia and Oceania. This is slow work and I have not put up anything completed so far. As it happens, I am writing a couple of articles that are in preliminary form about the weapons of Vanuatu. One deals with accounts up to the time of Cook's visit in 1774. The other deals with subsequent reports up to the end of the 19th C.

To return to the items discussed in this thread. What has been shown are boomerang-like objects that are said to be non-returning when thrown. These should not be called boomerangs--this is a misnomer. They are throw-sticks. Whether these particular forms of throw-sticks were used in Vanuatu in early times is doubtful. There is no explicit description of such items in the European literature up to about 1900. In fact, I can find no prior mention of this particular style of throw-stick from Vanuatu until this post. A recent web search for other examples was unhelpful.

I believe that the items shown by ausjulius are likely more recent than the 19th C, and are probably influenced by Australian indigenous forms. If my initial response in this thread was too cryptic and lacked context, I hope that this longer version will better explain my view of these items.

It is possible that examples similar to those posted here pre-date 1900 and exist in European collections or museums. Until such evidence emerges, I am skeptical of claims that these are traditional items from Vanuatu.

Regards, Ian

Ian · 4th March 2026, 08:39 PM

Tim,

Curved throw-sticks like the one you show are widespread around the world. Examples have been found dating to ancient Egypt, including items uncovered in King Tut's tomb. They are old tools in the timeline of human development.

Regards, Ian

A. G. Maisey · 5th March 2026, 10:23 PM

Throw sticks are really pretty underrated, I can testify with certainty that a well placed throw stick (kundi) will bring down a small roo, & will also kill a duck.

I've heard some cricketers claim that they can do the same with a cricket ball --- & take out bunnies too. A few years back I saw a local lad kill a fair sized roo with a thrown rock that hit it in the head.

You're deadset right about boumarrangs Ian, they are toys, & my understanding is that they were pretty much only used on the Australian East Coast.

I'm sure that similar implements were used in other places in Australia too, but they would have had different names and been used for hunting, so throw sticks, kundis, I have heard another name for them too, maybe "kali"? also "dowa"?. Probably many names for these things.

But the essence is, they are effective.

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4th March 2026, 08:27 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,697	Ausjulius, Terminology is very important here. If we trace the history of "boomerang" in the English lexicon, it derives from a term used by one of the indigenous groups around the early colony of Port Jackson (Sydney). The native group used this word exclusively for a curved flattened wooden stick that would fly in a circle and return to the thrower. There were other native words used to describe a range of sticks or clubs that did not return when thrown. The terminology of what is a boomerang and what is not has been discussed well by Tony Butz in his online article: What is a Boomerang? An investigation of the word “boomerang” in Aboriginal and English languages. Butz is a former history teacher and linguist, past editor of the Boomerang Bulletin, and the founder of the Boomerang Throwing Association of New South Wales. According to Butz, "if it does not return, it's not a boomerang." He provides early references to illustrate this point. Misuse of the term boomerang is common, especially among those outside Australia. The use of "non-returning boomerang" to describe a throw-stick makes no sense based on the origin of the word boomerang. First contact Indigenous Australians knew what a boomerang was and gave it a name distinct from other throw-sticks that did not return when thrown. Subsequently, English-speaking groups got it wrong and frequently called a curved throwing stick a boomerang regardless of whether it returned. A mistake that has been propagated widely. As part of a new project on these pages, I have been collecting and summarizing data on the weapons of people in Australasia and Oceania. This is slow work and I have not put up anything completed so far. As it happens, I am writing a couple of articles that are in preliminary form about the weapons of Vanuatu. One deals with accounts up to the time of Cook's visit in 1774. The other deals with subsequent reports up to the end of the 19th C. To return to the items discussed in this thread. What has been shown are boomerang-like objects that are said to be non-returning when thrown. These should not be called boomerangs--this is a misnomer. They are throw-sticks. Whether these particular forms of throw-sticks were used in Vanuatu in early times is doubtful. There is no explicit description of such items in the European literature up to about 1900. In fact, I can find no prior mention of this particular style of throw-stick from Vanuatu until this post. A recent web search for other examples was unhelpful. I believe that the items shown by ausjulius are likely more recent than the 19th C, and are probably influenced by Australian indigenous forms. If my initial response in this thread was too cryptic and lacked context, I hope that this longer version will better explain my view of these items. It is possible that examples similar to those posted here pre-date 1900 and exist in European collections or museums. Until such evidence emerges, I am skeptical of claims that these are traditional items from Vanuatu. Regards, Ian

4th March 2026, 08:39 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,697	Tim, Curved throw-sticks like the one you show are widespread around the world. Examples have been found dating to ancient Egypt, including items uncovered in King Tut's tomb. They are old tools in the timeline of human development. Regards, Ian

5th March 2026, 10:23 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,209	Throw sticks are really pretty underrated, I can testify with certainty that a well placed throw stick (kundi) will bring down a small roo, & will also kill a duck. I've heard some cricketers claim that they can do the same with a cricket ball --- & take out bunnies too. A few years back I saw a local lad kill a fair sized roo with a thrown rock that hit it in the head. You're deadset right about boumarrangs Ian, they are toys, & my understanding is that they were pretty much only used on the Australian East Coast. I'm sure that similar implements were used in other places in Australia too, but they would have had different names and been used for hunting, so throw sticks, kundis, I have heard another name for them too, maybe "kali"? also "dowa"?. Probably many names for these things. But the essence is, they are effective.