The re-emergence of nganaparru (water buffalo) into the culture, landscape and rock art of western Arnhem Land

The introduction of new animals into huntergatherer societies produces a variety of cultural responses. This article explores the role of rock art in western Arnhem Land, Australia, in helping to mediate contact-period changes in Indigenous society in the nineteenth century. The authors explore etic and emic perspectives on the 're-emergence' of water buffalo into Aboriginal cultural life. Merging archaeological analysis, rock art and ethnographic accounts, the article demonstrates how such artworks were used as a tool for maintaining order in times of dramatic social change. The results of this research have significant implications for understanding how cultural groups and individuals worldwide used rock art during periods of upheaval. Keywords: Australia, Arnhem Land, water buffalo, rock art, human-animal relationships, contact
Introduction Colonial-period contact led to the introduction of exotic animal species into Indigenous hunter-gatherer societies worldwide. The appearance of these animals elicited a variety of responses. While some communities embraced [...]