Buka cloak
Traditional kangaroo-skin cloak of Noongar and South Australian peoples.
The buka—also spelled boka or booka—is a traditional cloak used by the Noongar people of south-west Western Australia, as well as by Indigenous groups in South Australia. Unlike the possum-skin cloaks sewn by southeastern peoples such as the Yorta Yorta, the buka is generally made from kangaroo pelts. In the south-west, less sewing was required because large skins were simply joined together. A typical buka uses the whole skins of two to three kangaroos, sewn with kangaroo sinew or rushes, and the tail hangs down at the bottom of the cloak.
The cloak is worn over one shoulder and under the other, fastened at the neck with a small piece of bone or wood. This design leaves both arms free for easy movement during daily tasks. The buka is reversible: in cold weather the fur is worn on the inside, and in rain it can be turned so the fur faces outward. At night, the cloak also serves as a sleeping rug.
Today, many Aboriginal people have new cloaks and rugs made from kangaroo skins, used in performances or simply for warmth. When Australia’s first Indigenous cabinet minister, Ken Wyatt, delivered his first speech to parliament in 2010, he wore a traditional buka.
- type
- Cloak
- culture
- Noongar peoples and Indigenous peoples of South Australia
- material
- Kangaroo pelts, sinew or rushes
- construction
- Two to three whole kangaroo skins sewn together
- fastening
- Small piece of bone or wood at the neck
- use
- Worn for warmth, rain protection, and as a sleeping rug
Lore & Background
The buka is worn over one shoulder and under the other, allowing unrestricted movement of both arms for daily activities. It is reversible: worn with fur inside for cold weather and turned outward when it rains. At night, the cloak serves as a sleeping rug.
Reader's Guide
The buka represents a distinct regional tradition among Indigenous Australians. Unlike the possum-skin cloaks of south-eastern peoples such as the Yorta Yorta, the buka uses kangaroo pelts and involves less sewing, as larger skins are joined together. The cloak remains culturally significant today: many Aboriginal people have new cloaks and rugs made from kangaroo skins, used in performances or for warmth. In 2010, Ken Wyatt, Australia's first Indigenous cabinet minister, wore a traditional buka when delivering his first speech to parliament, highlighting its enduring symbolic importance.
Did You Know?
- The buka is also spelled boka or booka.
- It is made from the whole skins of two to three kangaroos sewn together with kangaroo sinew or rushes.
- The cloak is reversible: fur inside for cold, fur outside for rain.
- Ken Wyatt wore a traditional buka when delivering his first speech to parliament in 2010.
More in Australian inventions 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record