Rijis are engraved mother-of-pearl shells traditionally worn by Aboriginal men from Northwest Australia. They were worn to cover the pubic area like a garment and were attached to the body by a strap made of hair. Their use was reserved for the most initiated men, meaning those who were spiritually and ceremonially advanced. Today, they are also worn during ceremonies by young boys, symbolizing their passage into adulthood.

The shells are collected during low spring tides. The shells feature a unique pattern from the Kimberley region in Western Australia called “ramu.” These intersecting lines carved into the shell are highlighted by the application of a mixture made from ochre-colored pigments and spinifex resin.

Besides their strong spiritual significance, rijis were also considered valuable trade items. Indeed, they were exchanged across the continent among various clans. Rijis originally from the Kimberley region have been found in Central Australia, the southwest and south of Australia, as well as in Queensland.