Australian Aboriginal Culture

Jin-Nee Wong
Aboriginal People
Indigenous Aboriginals
Indigenous Australians are the original
inhabitants of the Australian continent
and nearby islands.
They arrived into Australia around
50,000 years ago.
The Australian Aboriginal Flag
was designed in 1971, by the
Aboriginal artist Harold Thomas.
1
Aboriginal means the first peoples.
Indigenous Australians is used to
refer to both Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders.

Ceremonies
2
Indigenous song, music, dance
and visual arts are all
performed at ceremonies.

Goods were often exchanged at
large gatherings, between
tribes, where there was plenty
of food.

They were also used to pass on rules and
laws, that are believed to be handed
down by the Dreamtime spirits.

Dreamtime Spirits: Spirits believed to have
emerged from the earth to create the
landscape.
Languages
There were between 250-300 spoken
languages, with 600 dialects at the start of
European settlement.

Now, fewer than 200 remain in use. All but
20 of them are considered endangered.
3
Dialect: Variety of language used by a
particular group.
European Settlement: The discovery and
colonisation of Australia by the British.
Endangered: At the risk of extinction.:
Dreamtime Stories
4
Dreamtime is the time
of creation of sacred
places, land, people,
animals and plants.

It is knowledge that is
passed from generation
to generation through
the use of symbols,
dancing, songs,
ceremonies and by word
of mouth.

It explains the
Aboriginals way of life,
and how their world
came to be.


Word of mouth: Passing
of information from
person to person.
Tools and Weapons
5
Spears are made for
hunting animals like
kangaroos, fish and birds.
They are usually made
from wood and have a
point made from stone.
Boomerangs are made out
of wood and are used for
hunting and fighting.
Returning boomerangs are
made to circle back and
return to the thrower.
Music
6
Didgeridoos are
wooden wind
instruments. Sounds
are made from the
mouth and blown
through. They are
traditionally played by
men only.
Clap sticks are a
type of drumstick. They
are tapped against each
other, and used to
maintain the beat and
rhythm of songs.
Clothing
7
Little clothing is worn because
they believe in the sacredness of
Australias natural resources.
In winter, they created garments
made from animal pelts, hair and
fibres. They would also cover
their body in animal fat to keep
warm.
It is tradition for Aborigines to paint
themselves with orange clay known as
ocher.
The riji is worn to cover their private
areas or hang as a necklace.
Australias natural resources: Materials
found within the environment.
Animal pelt: Skin of an
animal with the fur still on it.
Fibres: Thread-like materials that contain
protein.
Riji: String of pearl shells.
Artwork

8
Dot painting is one of the most popular
forms of Aboriginal Australian art.

Traditionally Aboriginals used to paint dot
pictures on rocks and caves.

Usually pictures of animals, nature, lakes and
stories of the dreamtime are painted.
Landmark: Uluru
9
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a
large natural sandstone rock
formation, located in the Northern
Territory. It is a very sacred place for
the Aboriginal people and holds many
dreamtime stories.

It is one of Australias most
recognisable landmarks and is listed
on the World Heritage Site.
Rock formation: Rocks that
have come together over a
long period of time.
Landmark: Well known object or feature.
World Heritage Site: A natural or man-
made site of international importance.
Here are some Aboriginal Picture Books
you may enjoy reading:
10
Thank you for reading along with me!
This is a quick Dreamtime Story for you to watch:

Tiddalick The Frog:
The Frog Who Caused a Flood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y3Ta5xcKV4


REFERENCES
Aboriginal Culture (2003). Aboriginal tools and weapons [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.aboriginalculture.com.au/toolsandweapons.shtml

ATSIAA (2007). Wooden clapsticks [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.nma.gov.au/collections-search/atsiaa/display.php?irn=145573

Constance, E. (2009). The aboriginal flag [Image]. Retrieved from
http://emma-constance.deviantart.com/art/Australian-Aboriginal-Flag-2-148547477

Evans, S. (2011). Austrlia: Aboriginal culture [Image]. Retrieved from
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Australia_Aboriginal_Culture_011.jpg

Hancock, D. (2013). Aboriginal boys ceremony [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/aboriginal-genetic-study-suggests-indian-migration.htm

Indigenous Instyle (2013). Aboriginal ceremonies [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.indigenousinstyle.com.au/aboriginal-culture/aboriginal-ceremonies/

Internships Down Under (2013). Dreamtime story telling [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.internshipsdownunder.com/destination-australia

Jones, P. (1997). Boomerang: Behind an australian icon [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/culture/boomerang.php

Kwamikagami (2012). Australian aboriginal languages [Image]. Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Aboriginal_languages

Kowalczyk, A. (2010). Aboriginal man in traditional costume [Image]. Retrieved from
http://itsrandomknowledge.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/who-are-aboriginal-people.html


NAIDOC (2013). Australian aboriginal flag [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.naidoc.org.au/celebrating-naidoc-week/indigenous-australian-flags/

PlanBookTravel (2008). Red centre dreaming [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.planbooktravel.com.au/region-images/NT/central-australia/central-australia-400x272/
aboriginal-music-instrument-didgeridoo.jpg/view

Rainbow Serpent (2011). Aboriginal artifacts boomerangs [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.rainbowserpent.com.au/Shop.aspx?Category=Boomerangs

Rutherford, A. (2011). Didgeridoo culture [Image]. Retrieved from
http://outbackcooking.blogspot.com.au/2011/02/didgeridoo-culture-ididj-australia.html

The Didgeridoo Store (2013). Kookaburra [Recorded by TDS]. Retrieved from The Didgeridoo Store.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park (2013). Cairns aboriginal culture [Image]. Retrieved from
http://tools.cairns.com.au/activities/culture-aboriginal.php

Tourism NT- Northern Territory Australia (2003). Red Centre Dreaming Aboriginal Performers at the Alice Springs
Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre [Image]. Retrieved from
http://svc111.bri11l.webmetrix.com.au/northern-territory-bandb/gallery/aboriginal-culture.html

Waechter, J. (2011). Man before history [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.donsmaps.com/aboriginals.html

REFERENCES cont.