The Aboriginals had their first contact by the Macassan’s, before the 18th century, this continued through to the 19th century. This was a very confronting moment for the aboriginals as for they had not had any contact with the outside world.
Many Aborigines that lived along Australia’s coasts had a large amount of interactions with the fishermen from the Macassan. The Aboriginals would be seen when the Macassan’s would come to find trepangs. But were not spoken to. Both sides had silent contact with each other. After the Macassans would collect the Trepangs (sea-cucumber) they would return home and ship the product off to Chinese buyers or traders. The Macassan’s would come to Australia’s coast regularly to fish. Trepangs are a type of sea cucumber, which the Macassan would come looking for. Trepangs were used to add flavour to Chinese cooking and were an important ingredient in Chinese medicines. After a while of coming back and forwards fishing for the Trepangs, the Macassan’s started to make contact with the Aboriginals. This was a first for the Aboriginals. The Aboriginals were then starting to be employed to help the Macassan’s fish for the Trepangs. Some of the Macassan’s then started to live with the Aborigines and would take part of their festivals, ceremonies and feasts. Others would stay a safe distance in case they had to defend themselves against the Aboriginals. Some Aborigines were also taken back when the Macassan’s would return on voyages to help them. If an Aboriginal would persist to accompanying the Macassan’s these were turned into abductions, or could lead to death. This had a large disruption on the Aboriginals from doing their daily routines because of what had been happening with the Macassan’s. Goods and produces were also exchanged with the Aboriginals, in return for the right to fish in their lakes. One of the main effects of European contact to the Aborigines in Australia was the dramatic change of culture and their learning abilities. An example of this is when the Aborigines started to be taken away to help with fishing for Trepangs. Many aborigines were also killed during this time period due to being uncooperative. The Macassan’s had a large advantage with this; as for they had better and stronger weapons such as guns. |
Found evidence of Macassan stone arrangement 'http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makassan_contact_with_Australia'
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