Australia's Outback History at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

 The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia will be having an exhibition based on the history of the Australian Cameleers and the history behind the development of Australia's Outback.

Unloading 300 camels, Port Augusta, 1884

The History

Unloading a camel, Port Augusta, 1890s

The Australian Outback has long been known for its mineral riches, extraordinary animals and endless almost-lunar landscape. Its history is just as interesting, but considerably less well known. One hundred and fifty years ago, Australian explorers and pastoralists began importing camels and their skilled Muslim handlers from Afghanistan and the Indian Subcontinent. Even though at the time Australian ‘cameleers’ were known for their skills, it was their overseas Muslim counterparts who were acknowledged for their superiority. 

The outback

In 1860, Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills led their first expedition to explore the vast wastelands of Australia. Accompanied by 24 camels and three cameleers, they began a new chapter in the history of the continent’s scorched interior. Playing a significant role in opening the Outback, the cameleers created vital lines of supply and communication between remote settlements, mines and mission stations. With cargoes that included wool and minerals, these individuals were the ‘pioneers of the inland’ for seven decades.

Cameleers and their camels, transporting wool bales across Warrego River, Cunnamulla, 1900. It was also used as a Christmas card.

Most of the successful expeditions during the late 19^th century were led by Afghan cameleers. In 1870 they truly proved their worth as the main suppliers for the Trans-Australian railway and the Overland Telegraph Line construction teams, allowing Australia to be connected with the rest of the world. Inland Australia continued to rely heavily on the cameleers’ services until motor transport made them redundant during the 1920s and 1930s.

View of Peshawar,1857.

The development of the Outback demonstrates the untold story of triumph over much adversity. Many cameleers returned home after their work contracts, some stayed and married women of different ethnic origins, raising their children in the Islamic faith. They created small Muslim communities in Outback towns from Bourke to Broome, and from Cloncurry to Coolgardie. These highly skilled cameleers did not only bring their well-trained camels but also presented a new culture and religion – Islam. The first mosque ever built in Australia was constructed for the cameleers.

The exhibition

The Cameleers catalog book.

This exhibition is a tribute to some of the hardiest individuals in Australia’s strenuous formative history. The artefacts on display show the harshness of their lives and the complexity of their relationships, as well as the importance of their faith. The IAMM is the first museum outside Australia to host this exhibition, offering a rare insight into a fascinating but largely unknown story of human endeavour.

The exhibition will be launched on the 20^th October 2001 and will be open to the public from the 21^st October 2011 until 20^th January 2012

Opening hours are from 10.00am – 6.00pm, Mondays to Sundays, including public holidays.

The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia is located at Jalan Lembah Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s tourist belt and within walking distance of the National Mosque.

info@iamm.org.my