Aboriginal Spirituality
Aboriginal spirituality.
Origins of the Universe
Different Aboriginal groups have varying creation stories with some general, common features
Ancestors emerged from land features (e.g. rock formations) which are considered Sacred sites
These supernatural beings created the natural world
Each group has an ancestor and a natural species or totem (e.g. emu)
Sacred Sites
May be land, rock formations, parts of rivers or seas that are linked to Dreaming stories
Also may be burial grounds, ceremonial meeting places and other significant places such as birthing caves
Some sites are women's Sacred sites, some are men's, and some are for the entire group
Stories of the Dreaming
The Dreaming is not regarded as myth by Aboriginal people. It is seen as a reality which consists of the past, present and future
Symbolism and Art
Art was connected to the artist's country
Different areas produced different forms of art
Many symbols used in Aboriginal art
Many forms, including body art, painting, carved trees, rock art, bark painting and funerary poles
Art was used in the teaching of others - knowledge of food types, sites, water, etc
They "painted their Dreaming
Diversity of the Dreaming
There are about 900 Aboriginal nations within Australia and, so, Dreaming stories differ greatly.
Each of these nations had its own dialect by which they communicated. This means that the language was different amongst the different groups of Aboriginal people.
As a result, there are differences in the Dreaming accounts.
Some groups that are close to eachother geographically shared many common elements of their Dreaming stories.
Background information
Aboriginal spirituality is based on a variety of beliefs.
All clans believed in an ancestral creative spirit who created all aspects of the world through his/her travels
Each area has a particular plant/animal which is a totem for that group of Aboriginal people; the spirit of the ancestor is heavily associated with
Origins of the Universe
Different Aboriginal groups have varying creation stories with some general, common features
Ancestors emerged from land features (e.g. rock formations) which are considered Sacred sites
These supernatural beings created the natural world
Each group has an ancestor and a natural species or totem (e.g. emu)
Sacred Sites
May be land, rock formations, parts of rivers or seas that are linked to Dreaming stories
Also may be burial grounds, ceremonial meeting places and other significant places such as birthing caves
Some sites are women's Sacred sites, some are men's, and some are for the entire group
Stories of the Dreaming
The Dreaming is not regarded as myth by Aboriginal people. It is seen as a reality which consists of the past, present and future
Symbolism and Art
Art was connected to the artist's country
Different areas produced different forms of art
Many symbols used in Aboriginal art
Many forms, including body art, painting, carved trees, rock art, bark painting and funerary poles
Art was used in the teaching of others - knowledge of food types, sites, water, etc
They "painted their Dreaming
Diversity of the Dreaming
There are about 900 Aboriginal nations within Australia and, so, Dreaming stories differ greatly.
Each of these nations had its own dialect by which they communicated. This means that the language was different amongst the different groups of Aboriginal people.
As a result, there are differences in the Dreaming accounts.
Some groups that are close to eachother geographically shared many common elements of their Dreaming stories.
Background information
Aboriginal spirituality is based on a variety of beliefs.
All clans believed in an ancestral creative spirit who created all aspects of the world through his/her travels
Each area has a particular plant/animal which is a totem for that group of Aboriginal people; the spirit of the ancestor is heavily associated with