Question

Based on the article "steel Axes for Stone Age Australians" by Lauriston Sharp, what were some of the cultural values attached to stone axes by the Yir Yuront? How did the introduction of steel axes by missionaries alter those value? How did these changes affect Yir Yuront culture? Can we really predict the outcome of our interactions with other cultures?

Answer 1

The Yir Yoront group of cape york peninsula in Australia had no knowledge of the use of steel axes and their manufacturing. They were provided steel axes for various types of work. They had no knowledge of metals. They used to hunt animals and fishes in bushes with the traditional techniques of capturing them by hand. They had stone axes for performing various work. The white provinces were providing them steel polished axes from various parts in the south. Dutch provided the axes made from pieces of iron in 1623.A european group came to the cape york peninsula and black race people also came before they disappeared from the peninsula. An Angilican mission was set there in 1915. The trade started with them after they offered several good items but prevented the exchange of narcotics,liquor, and drugs to them. The axes were used for cutting woods,which were used for cooking by burning the wood from trees. They had spears and sharped spines for hunting but were provided axes by missionaries. The stone axes marked the governance and superiority among the males of the Yir Yoront community in the cape york peninsula. The uses of this steel axes were less as much of the work could be performed with the older stone axes. There was nothing new to display. The transfer of the steel axes was carried forward to the south of distant relatives and younge brothers, but they already had access to many tools and weapons so the subordination to the trade of axes was less with their elder realtives and brothers in the Yir Yoront community. The female significance for the steel axes was that they claimed it as that it is for the them and called it "mine". It was considered a symbol and totem for hunting and for religious ceremonies. There was chance of developing superordination and subordination during trade but associations outside the group was avoided by this tribal community. The whites considered the practices and cattle rearing as subordinate behavior of the tribal Yir Yoront community.Later various items were made of wood like canoe which was used for boating.later It was considered the Heat to the east clan totem with religious practises. The practises and the occupation involving the rearing and hunting of animals along with traditional weapons development like spears,arrows and spines are considered outdated in the modern living civilized societies with technology advancement.