G’day, fellow adventurers! It’s your fearless Whoop Whoop Walk About guide here, and today, we’re diving into one of the coolest forms of communication that dates back longer than your mobile’s battery life—the Aboriginal message stick ( Tharunka ).
Picture this: You’ve trekked the Aussie bush for days, kangaroos bounding past, the sun setting in hues of red and orange, and suddenly, you spot a fella in the distance holding what looks like a stick. Now, this isn’t just any stick—it’s the OG Aussie text message—the Tharunka! Back in the day, before emails and emojis, the Tharunka was used by Aboriginal messengers to deliver important info across nations, clans, and language groups. Think of it as the first cross-country WhatsApp... only a bit slower, but way more stylish.
These carved sticks weren’t just for show. They had symbols, notches, and lines that carried secret codes known only to the sender and the receiver—like ancient cryptography! From inviting neighbouring mobs to a corroboree (that’s a big party) to negotiating peace, these sticks were like the Aboriginal version of LinkedIn connections, without the awkward networking.
Here’s how it worked: A messenger would get the stick carved with the special message. Before heading out, they’d light a smoke signal to say, “Oi, I’m comin’ through!”—so they wouldn’t get speared on sight. Then, they’d march on, often over long distances, delivering both the stick and the verbal message. Without the spoken words, the message on the stick was like getting a password reset email without the code.
Fun fact
In 1935, a man named Wonggu sent a message stick to call for a truce, which literally helped keep the peace in Northern Australia. These sticks weren’t just for chats—they were diplomatic tools.
So, if you’re ever feeling nostalgic for the days before phones, think about the Tharunka and how much effort went into just getting a simple message across. It’s way cooler than texting!
Want to experience these fascinating traditions in person? Grab your boots and join the Whoop Whoop Walk About! We’ll dive deep into Indigenous culture, throw some boomerangs (and hopefully not our backs), start a fire or two (intentionally), and explore the rich heritage of Aboriginal Australia. And who knows? Maybe you’ll even find yourself making your own modern-day message stick (Tharunka)—or at least posting a great selfie from the bush.
Until next time, happy trails and don’t forget your yabber-stick!
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