The Black War

"We must remember what ruthless and utter destruction our own species has wrought, not only upon animals such as the vanished bison and dodo, but also upon its own inferior races. The Tasmanians, in spite of their human likeness, were entirely swept out of existence in a war of extermination waged by European immigrants, in the space of fifty years." - H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds

As the Black War was never officially declared, historians vary in their dating of the extended conflict.

In 1828 the British colonial government declared martial law which many believe marked the beginning of The Black War between the British colonists and the Tasmanian Aborigines in Van Diemen's Land, though some accounts state the war began at the first conflict in 1804. Controversies surrounding the mass killings of Tasmanian Aborigines have been contested ever since the war ended with the most recent in 2002. Many of the deaths during The Black War can be attributed to the fact that the Tasmanian Aborigines had no immunity to European diseases and infections, thus rendering them hopeless against epidemics combined with the force of the British colonists. Since only the British colonists were equipped for war and no declaration of war was made Historians still argue whether "war" is the appropriate term. They believe causes such as occupation, massacre, and even genocide were the true intention of the conflict, but the term "war" has stuck nonetheless. In 1836, after the war, Charles Darwin visited Tasmania and made several remarks on the behavior and conduct of the Tasmanian Aborigines as they were what he referred to as "prisoners" of the British colonists

"We make no pompous display of Philanthropy. We say this unequivocally SELF DEFENCE IS THE FIRST LAW OF NATURE. THE GOVERNMENT MUST REMOVE THE NATIVES – IF NOT, THEY WILL BE HUNTED DOWN LIKE WILD BEASTS, AND DESTROYED!"
– Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser, 1826

Despite the fact that some two-hundred and fifty Tasmanian Aborigines may have survived the war and were relocated to Bass Strait Island, their descendants have lost all connection or knowledge of the original culture with the last full-blooded Tasmanian Aborigine dying in 1876.

Arts, Crafts, and Entertainment of the Tasmanian Aboriginals

The Tasmanian aboriginals were well known for their arts and musical talent.  They used the tools they developed to create a variety of crafts and jewelry.  String was a main component in a lot of their hand made objects.  It was some women's sole purpose to weave baskets and water buckets for use in the tribe.  One can tell by the complex pattern of weaving that the Tasmanians payed close attention to detail.  As string was to their crafts, ochre was to their art.  A variety of colors of Ochre was mixed with fat to make different paints and gels used on the body or face, in men's hair, or in one of the many cave drawings discovered. Charcoal was also used as a cosmetic trend on the body and face of the aboriginals.  The Tasmanians were very big on the theatrics.  Known for their complicated dances and songs dedicated to successful hunts and battles, as well as their rituals on the night of the full moon, the aboriginals impressed anyone who was lucky to witness these acts.

Source: http://www.brunyislandferry.com/Tasmanian-Aboriginal-History.html