Abstract This paper explains the term "dreamtime" as it relates to the Aboriginal religion and belief system. According to the Dreamtime belief, all life, including humans, animals, and plants, are all apart of an organized network which can be traced back to the original spirits of Dreamtime. This paper briefly explains how Dreamtime dictates the spiritual, religious, and social aspects of almost all Aboriginal culture, directly reflecting these people's beliefs, values, and ideas.
From the Paper "The tie to Dreamtime is so strong and unique in the everyday lives of the tribes, that the creation of earth is enacted during rituals of dance and celebration. As the name may suggest, Dreamtime is practiced personally through revelations, visions, and actual dreams each Aborigine have (aboriginalart.com). For the Aborigines, these personal religious practices are what explain the meaning of life and answer the question of why they are on this earth."
Discusses the major concepts of this cultural art. Looks at the issues of Dreamtime, the role of the art and the media involvement. Analyzes motifs, figures and designs.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 7 sources, 1999, $ 63.95
From the Paper " The art of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia constitutes one of the most consistent, and longest, art traditions in the world. Despite an enormous diversity of artistic practices throughout the continent, all Aboriginal art has been inherently religious in nature and most has worked from the seemingly abstract, extremely complex iconographic system that is still employed today. Though art may be designed for a variety of social, didactic, or utilitarian purposes, the Aboriginal belief in the pervasiveness of meaning throughout creation has meant that no person, place, animal or thing is without religious significance. Thus the representation of any aspect of the world, in any medium, at any level of abstraction, for any purpose is guided by the artists' understanding of what is represented. Art can have both private and public meanings. But.."
A examination of the Australian aborigines' theology, ancestors, dreamtime, oral culture, death, beliefs, rituals, sacred objects and modern adaptations.
2,700 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 5 sources, 1994, $ 95.95
From the Paper "Walbiri Religious Beliefs And Practice
This paper will examine religious beliefs and practices of the Walbiri peoples of Australia, emphasizing the Walbiri's reliance on orality and pragmatism in their culture and theology. The Walbiri are seminomadic aborigine hunters and gatherers who have wandered the rocky ranges, outcrops and low-lying hills of the western desert region of Central Australia for centuries before European contact. More recently, the Walbiri have subdivided into four major groups--the Ngalia, Walmalla, Waneiga and Lander Walbiri. The Walbiri nomadic pattern of wandering from water hole to water hole within their loosely defined territories remains the main organizing principle of Walbiri life, exceeding in importance even the rhythms of the seasons. At present, the Walbiri inhabit government settlements within or..."
Abstract This essay demonstrates the erratic history of indigenous land claims in Australia, from the colonial period to advancements made under legislative modernisation today. The paper begins with a quote by Mudrooroo, to show just how frustrating the situation is. The paper concludes that Indigenous Australians are finally being recognised as the original owners of this country, although much needs to be done before the struggle is over.
From the Paper "In 1788, the Indigenous people were violently deprived of their land rights. Their struggle for the return of these rights has proved a tumultuous journey through the history of Australia, often exposing fundamentally racist beliefs and laws. Recent legislation has paved the way for greater victories for Indigenous Australians, although the extent to which even these are just remains questionable."
Abstract Recently, there has been much controversy surrounding "Stamping Ground", an Aboriginal-inspired piece choreographed by Jiri Kylian. The debate focuses on what Jiri Kylian took from the Aboriginal culture and if it was, indeed, an imitation. To explore this issue in fuller detail, this paper presents insight into Jiri Kylian and the Aboriginal culture. Based on these findings, the paper argues that Jiri Kylian has not imitated Aboriginal dance in "Stamping Ground"; if he had, it would be regarded by the Aboriginal community as a theft.
From the Paper "The jumps in Stamping Ground were also quieter, less impact noise on the surface. Aboriginals tend to exhibit a great deal of energy and aggression in their dances that is accompanied by a tremendous amount of sound, whereas the first half hour of Stamping Ground is performed with no music at all. Most importantly, the major difference observed between the work of Jiri Kylian and the Aboriginals is the number of people involved in the dance. The Aboriginals always perform in groups, in Stamping Ground, the majority of the time only one dancer is performing. There are at most three performers on stage at any time (Road to the Stamping Ground)."
Abstract This paper explains that "The Dreamtime" is the beginning of creation upon which "Ancestral Beings" emerged from the earth and moved around the land to form the mountains, the rivers, the trees, the animals and plants. All these places are very sacred to indigenous people as they hold their ancestral presence and power. The Iidigenous people are learning from the land and teaching that knowledge to their children. The paper relates that the indigenous people work together as a group and everyone has a role and responsibility: Men go hunting; women gather all the seeds and berries and look after the children.
From the Paper "Initiation is an integral part of Indigenous culture it's a celebration of becoming of age but also of sacred knowledge as it's through the ordeal of pain and separation that the young male and females are introduced to adult hood which involves greater responsibility among the group and also a defined role within the community. Young females are also subjected to the process of initiation, although the testing process is not as serve as the boys. The young females would at one stage be separated from the group when they reach a time of maturity usually around the first sign of puberty and spend time away from the group. In this time, the young females have older women with greater knowledge teaching her songs and stories but also teaching her the proper etiquette for when she marries, as both young males and females are unable to marry until they have been through initiation. In the final process of initiation, like the young males, the young females would also injure some form of scarring or teeth removal."
Abstract The indigenous people of Australia have inhabited the land for over 40,000 years making Australia's indigenous people one of the oldest cultures in the world. It was through 200 years of colonization that indigenous Australian's experienced the decimation and eradication of their people and culture through the process of assimilation. This paper looks at how Australia as a nation is taking responsibility for the injustices that indigenous people have injured with the development of reconciliation. It examines how the citizens of Australia are coming together working towards breaking down the barriers, which have segregated and alienated Indigenous people from society. It also examines how all Australians are being encouraged to be part of the solution rather than the problem to reunite differences through acceptance and acknowledgement and education.
From the Paper "Reconciliation in Australia is about welcoming, acknowledging and understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 'Reconciliation is about the merging of two versions of the past, bringing together two perspectives of one history' (Grattan, M 2000 p.8). It's through the process of understanding that Australians learn about the Indigenous peoples interpretation of Australia through their culture for example the beauty behind the Dreamtime that explains how the spirit ancestors who roamed the earth to create the landforms, which are the centenals of our existence. There is a wealth of knowledge and thousands of years of proven environmental and ecological diversity and harmony, which Non-indigenous Australian's could acknowledge, respect and learn. Reconciliation can be the gateway with which all Australians benefit."
