ABU HANIFA INSTITUTE PRESENTS
BEFORE 1770
The connection between Aboriginal people and Makassan Muslims in Australia before 1770.
WATCH TRAILER
SALLY MAY
Results indicate this sailing vessel (prau), was painted prior to 1664 AD, and there is a 99.7 per cent probability that the overlying beeswax figure was made between 1517 and 1664 AD.
PAUL TACON
There has been increasing discussion of how rock art reflects Aboriginal artists' encounters with, for example, South-east Asian ('Makassan').
MARSHALL CLARKE
The team analysed two skeletons excavated by Macknight in the 1960s and confirmed Macknight’s argument that the skeletons were of Southeast Asian origin (Theden-Ringl et al. 2011, p. 41). They also suggest that one of the individuals died before 1730 AD (Theden-Ringl et al. 2011, p. 45).
PHOTOGRAPHED IN MAKASSAR
In 1873, photographs were taken by Italian naturalist Odoardo Beccari, who travelled through South East Asia in the 1860s and 70s. Photo supplied by Pigorini National Museum, Rome). The striking images were taken in the Indonesian city of Makassar in the 1870s, and show half a dozen young Aboriginal men and children from northern Australia. They corroborate written and oral accounts that describe Aboriginal people moving overseas with visiting Asian fishermen, some prior to British settlement of northern Australia, and some even dating back to the 1600s.
Beccari's note on the back of a photograph, translated from Italian, reads 'People of northern Australia, photographed in Makassar in 1873'. Photo by: (Supplied: Pigorini National Museum, Rome)
WHY IS BEESWAX SIGNIFICANT?
WE ARE CHANGING THE NARRATIVE
Muslims are no strangers to Australia. Their relationship with Aboriginal people extended well before 1770 and the arrival of Europeans.
Aboriginal people were the first international traders. They traded for hundreds of years with Makassan fishermen from Makassar, Indonesia.
NATIONAL TOUR
What Happened at Arnhem Land When the Vessel Arrived?
Words cannot describe the moment the vessel appeared on the horizon. Tears, emotions, joy, sadness, reflection and emotions that were indescribable. The entire community and five clans came out to the beach to welcome the Makassans onto their land. What was captured on camera are some of the most sensational images, cinematography, and footage yet to be documented on film. It was a celebration of the past and hope for the future. The clans that came on the day were dressed in their colours as they made their way to the beach. The onlookers were in their thousands. There are about 5 breathtaking stories captured within this feature documentary that tells the story of history so many are proud to be part of.