This film is part of Free
Visit to a Tribe
Short film showing members of the ‘pinto’ aboriginal tribe in Central Australia. Scenes of daily life including preparation for a dance ceremony.
Overview
Short film showing members of the ‘pinto’ aboriginal tribe in Central Australia. Scenes include a pinto warrior making fire by friction between a wooden shield and a woomera (portable receptacle). Craftsman of the pinto tribe making a woomera with a chisel of chipped stone. A pinto warrior hurling a spear by means of the woomera. Pinto warriors in cross-shaped head-dresses made of grass and feathers bound with human hair - festive garb for a corroboree (dance ceremony).
This short film was almost certainly taken during the ‘Mackay Aerial Survey Expedition, Central Australia, May-June 1930’. In 1926 Donald Mackay financed and accompanied the first of several expeditions to Australia's Northern Territory. He later supervised four aerial survey expeditions to Central Australia (1930, 1933, 1935 and 1937). The purpose of the ‘Mackay Aerial Survey Expeditions’ was to carry out survey work, investigate flora and fauna, and observe Aboriginal life (which included the Pinto and Eumo tribes). Donald Mackay (1870–1958) was an Australian cyclist and explorer; he was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society between 1908 and 1931.
Related
Climbing Mount Everest Climbing Mount Everest
Non-Fiction 1933 32 mins Silent
A fascinating glimpse into life at high altitude for the party of the Mount Everest Expedition 1933 which intended, but ultimately failed to summit Everest.
East Nepal East Nepal
1961 72 mins Silent
Film taken by Tom Spring Smyth during the British Museum (Natural History) Expedition to East Nepal 1961-1962.
Amazon; Dr Hamilton Rice Amazon; Dr Hamilton Rice
1926 91 mins Silent
Take a journey with Dr Hamilton Rice as he embarks on his final expedition of the easterly tributaries of the Amazonian basin.
The Conquest of Everest The Conquest of Everest
Documentary 1953 78 mins
Colour film (narrated by Meredith Edwards) telling the story of the ‘Mount Everest Expedition 1953’, which saw the first successful ascent of the mountain.
Scenes from Around the World Scenes from Around the World
Amateur film 1947 9 mins Silent
Short colour, silent, compilation of unedited film footage giving a snapshot of life in various countries in the year 1947.
Nine Countries in Ninety Minutes Nine Countries in Ninety Minutes
Travelogue 1937 63 mins Silent
Amateur film travelogue of a journey around various parts of the world in 1937, by Frances Hotham F.R.G.S, A.R.P.S.
New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.
Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.