Clad in little more than loin cloths and painted head to toe in war paint armed with spears, clubs, wooden shields, and deadly boomerangs, these Australian Aboriginal warriors are ready for battle.
Stunning restored historical photos, some more than 150 years old, show men young and old dressed for war or ceremony the same way they were for centuries before European settlement.
Pictured in the aftermath of Australia’s frontier wars that saw Indigenous people resist colonial expansion into their land, they maintain their traditions and customs on what remains of their territory.
Aboriginal warriors were formidable fighters who wielded their weapons with great dexterity and were adept at guerrilla tactics that British forces took decades to adapt to.
The tribes mostly lived in small semi-nomadic family groups with shifting territories that often led to clashes between clans, leading to fierce battles at close quarters, or with boomerangs thrown with expert precision.
Many tribes settled disputes between men by throwing spears at each other’s thighs, which they defended with small shields, until one was unable to stand.
In later years the traditional weapons and war paint continued to be used in ceremonies observed by photographers.
Corroborees were annual meetings of different groups to trade goods, share news and arrange marriages that would strengthen tribal bonds and prevent inbreeding.
The photos also show Aboriginal hunters stalking prey such as kangaroos, crocodiles, fish, and other native animals using centuries-old methods – beyond simply spearing game.
Observers recounted how fishing nets were made from coarse spinifex dried in the sun, and traps made for kangaroos before they were finished off with clubs.
These photos were painstakingly restored and enhanced by Indigenous culture group IDIDJ Australia to remove blemishes, repair damage and improve their quality.
‘We aim to present our Indigenous brothers and sisters, aunties and uncles in the best possible light,’ it said.