Introduction
Australia has two distinct Indigenous groups; the Aboriginal people of mainland Australia; and the Torres Strait Islanders. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities maintain a special connection to and responsibility for their Country.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have unique belief systems and are spiritually connected the land,
sea, sky and waterways.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies
have many Language Groups. Their peoples’
ways of life are uniquely expressed through
ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the first Australians and have a history dating back as much as 65,000 years.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have unique belief systems and are spiritually connected the land,
sea, sky and waterways.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies
have many Language Groups. Their peoples’
ways of life are uniquely expressed through
ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the first Australians and have a history dating back as much as 65,000 years.
History
Aboriginal history dates back at least 40,000 years, with some artifacts indicating it could be as old as 65,000 years. European settlement is comparitively new, beginning with the First Fleet just over 200 years ago. In this time numerous issues have arisen between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian groups. Some important issues include native land rights, the White Australia policy and the Stolen Generations. Have you heard of these issues before?
What do you know about them? |
Beliefs
According to Aboriginal belief, all life as it is today - Human, Animal, Bird and Fish is part of one huge network of relationships which can be traced to the great spirit ancestors of the ‘Dreamtime’. These ancestors are said to have shaped the world, the way it looks, and given life to the people and animals that are on the earth. The Dreamtime is the Aboriginal understanding of the world, of its creation, and it's great stories, and many Indigenous Australians still practice their beliefs today.
Values
In the past Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders had a deep connection with the land. Not believing in ownership, the Indigenous Australians instead had a relationship with the land they lived on. These feelings still persevere today, with many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders working hard to preserve the land that was home to their ancestors.
Practices
Like all cultures, Indigenous Australians have unique practices and traditions. Some of these practices include:
• Bora - an initiation ceremony in which young boys (Kippas) become men.
• Corroboree - a ceremonial meeting for Australian Aboriginal people.
• Fire-stick farming - A hunting and farming technique involving setting fire to the forest. The fire would scare animals out of hiding for hunting. It would also clear the forest canopy, allowing low-lying food sources to prosper.
• Smoking ceremony - a cleansing ritual performed on special
occasions.
• Walkabout - a time in a young teenagers life when they
go to through the right of passage by journeying
through the Indigenous land to become a man.
• Bora - an initiation ceremony in which young boys (Kippas) become men.
• Corroboree - a ceremonial meeting for Australian Aboriginal people.
• Fire-stick farming - A hunting and farming technique involving setting fire to the forest. The fire would scare animals out of hiding for hunting. It would also clear the forest canopy, allowing low-lying food sources to prosper.
• Smoking ceremony - a cleansing ritual performed on special
occasions.
• Walkabout - a time in a young teenagers life when they
go to through the right of passage by journeying
through the Indigenous land to become a man.
Activities
Brainstorm
What do you know about the culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders?
How do you think they lived before Europeans colonised Australia?
How do you think they lived before Europeans colonised Australia?
Culture Chart
Divide an A3 sheet of paper into three columns. Give the columns the headings: ‘Indigenous Australians’,
‘European Australians’ and ‘Asian Australians’.
Use the internet and your library to find as many beliefs, values and practices for Indigenous Australians.
There’s an example below
Remember to leave the other columns blank, we’re going to do those later!
‘European Australians’ and ‘Asian Australians’.
Use the internet and your library to find as many beliefs, values and practices for Indigenous Australians.
There’s an example below
Remember to leave the other columns blank, we’re going to do those later!