Possums revive Aboriginal craft

Australian Aboriginal artistes are importing hides from New Zealand to revive their traditional skills in making possum-skin cloaks.

The traditional craft - once a crucial aspect of living in southeast Australia - died out about 150 years ago, leaving behind only a few relics in museums.

But Melbourne's Age newspaper reports that three women have used a council grant to recreate the craft with possum skins from New Zealand. Killing possums is illegal in Australia.

"The cloaks have slowly come back into use as a normal part of welcoming ceremonies and at funerals," weaver Vicki Couzens said.

- NZPA