Gnarraban

Gnarraban
Eel basket

Eel baskets were placed in gaps of stone and wooden fish traps with an opening to capture mature eels and let immature eels through. The baskets were mostly woven with Common Reed and Spear grass found in the area. Basket making was commonly performed by women.

  • Project: Aboriginal eel Aquaculture – Gunditjmara Country.
  • Climate: Temperate – Warm-summer Mediterranean
  • Year: 4000 BC
  • Water type: Fresh water
  • Landscape: Volcano stream
  • Meaning: Utilitarian
  • Water workers and users: Aboriginal fishers
  • Material: Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and Spear grass (Heteropogon contortus)
  • Temporality: Seasonal, autumn and winter
  • Use or Function: Capture eels