Howard Morphy describing a similar shield in Aboriginal Australia (Sydney, 1981, p.172) writes: These large fighting shields from the northeast Queensland rainforest area, around Cairns and Port Douglas, are made from the roots of native fig trees, which accounts for thier asymmetrical curved appearance. White, red and yellow ochres, together with black pigment made by mixing charcoal with water, were painted on the shields in bold designs. All of the different designs had meanings associated with totems or inspired by legends. The shields played an important part in the initiation of young men, as each was given a bare shield to paint after he had received his final 'marks'. The shields were associated in battle with the heavy fighting swords. The designs of the shields were thought to possess protective qualities.

See illustration on back cover