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.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.