Boomerangs are commonly associated with the Aborigines, the original people of Australia, who use them for hunting and many other specialised tasks. However, scientists believe boomerangs were developed independently by a number of prehistoric hunting peoples. Ancient boomerangs have been found in many partss of the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.

There are two kinds of boomerangs, returning and non-returning. Returning boomerangs are the best-known type. When a returning boomerang is thrown correctly, the thrower can catch it without moving from the starting point. The boomerang spins forward and then rises and begins a curved path back to the thrower. It seems to stop and hang in the air before it glides down. Returning boomerangs are used mainly for the sport of boomerang throwing. They are unsuitable weapons for most types of hunting because their circular flight paths make them difficult to aim. They also could be dangerous in a fight because they could injure the thrower when they return. Non-returning boomerangs have played an important part in Aboriginal culture through the centuries. A spinning boomerang hits a target with more force than a thrown rock or stick. For this reason, non-returning boomerangs are useful weapons for hunting and fighting.

Some non-returning boomerangs can be used as shields for protection against other boomerangs. Aborigines have also used them as tools for lighting fires, cutting, and scraping; as toys; and as trading objects Some Aborigines decorate boomerangs with carved or painted designs that are related to their legends and traditions. They treat these decorated boomerangs with respect and use them in religious ceremonies. The Aborigines also clap boomerangs together to provide rhythm for songs and chants. How a boomerang flies.

A boomerang's flight depends on its shape and size, and how it is thrown. Winds also influence its flight. Most boomerangs have a bend near the middle that forms two wings shaped like aeroplane wings. Each wing is flat on the bottom and curved on top. One edge is thicker than the other. As a boomerang spins wing over wing in flight, its shape causes lower air pressure above each wing than below it. This helps keep the boomerang airborne. Some boomerangs have a shallow, hollowed-out area on the underside of one wing to provide added lift. Forces acting on the boomerang, combined with its spin, make it follow a corned path in the air A skilful thrower can make a returning boomerang travel about 45 metres before it begins its return. Non-returning boomerangs can he thrown about 90 metres.
Courtesy World Book