Emmy were primarily hunted for their meat and feathers, and various techniques were used to catch tgem, including:
1. Trapping:
In the early days, Indigenous Australians set up traps and snares to catch emus. These trps could vary from simple pitfall traps to more complex woven snares.
2. Dogs and Netting:
Aborigines also trained dingoes and other domesticated dog breeds to help hunt and chase emus. When the emus were weakened or tired, hunters would use nets to capture them.
3. Running Down:
The Aboriginals were renowned for their endurance, and they would sometimes engage in marathon-like chases to exhaust and eventually capture emus on foot.
4. Stalking and Camouflage:
Hunters would employ stalking and camouflaging teqchniques to approach emus quietly. They used various disguises, such as mimicking bushes or using animal hides to blend in with the surroundings.
5. Noise and Distraction:
Some strategies involved making noise or using decoys to distract and disorient the emus, making them easier to catch or drive into desired locations.
How Were Emus Hunted?
Apart from trapping, emus wee also hunted using various methods, including:
1. Spears and Boomerangs:
Aboriginal hunters used pointed spears and boomerangs as effective hunting weapons. Spears could be thrown from a distance, while boomerangs could be thrown and return, increasing their hunting efficiency.
2. Clubs and Sticks:
When emus were cornered or trapped, hunters would use clubs or sturdy sticks to kill them.
3. Firearms:
With the introduction of firearms by European settlers, hunting emus became more efficient, Allowing hunters to take down large numbers with relative ease.
How Were Emus Killed?
Once caught or trapped, emus were typically killed in several ways:
1. Neck Breaking:
This was a common method where the hunter would grab or hold the emu's neck and swiftly break it.
2. Spear Thrust:
If an emu was injured but still alive, hunters would deliver a final blow by thrusting a spear into its vital areas, such as the heart or lungs.
3. Clubbing:
In some instances, a club or heavy object was used to strike and kill the emu.
How Were Emus Cooked?
After the emus were killed, they were prepared and cooked for consumption:
1. Plucking and Gutting:
The feathers were plucked, and the emu's internal organs were removed.
2. Butchering:
The emu was then butchered into smaller cuts, such as thighs, legs, wings and breast meat.
3. Spit-Roasting:
One of the most common cooking methods was spit-roasting. The emu meat was skewered on a long wooden stick or branch and roasted over an open fire.
4. Baking and Stewing:
Emus could also be cooked in earth ovens (bake) or stewed in natural water sources, such as billabongs or creek.
5. Other Cooking Techniques:
Additional cooking techniques included steaming, grilling and boiling, depending on the preferences of the Indigenous tribes and the available resurces.