Culture of Aborigines
Aboriginal culture is an all encompassing spiritual path and way of living, based on complex relationships between people, spirit ancestors, animals and the land. Aboriginal people gain their prime identity from the area of land where they originated - their ‘country’.
During creation, spirit beings travelled over the land creating the natural environment and remaining as rocks, rivers and waterholes when their work was done. Traditionally, Aboriginal people learn from childhood the history and spiritual significance of each feature of their country’s landscape. The land nurtures them, and in return they have sacred responsibilities to protect it.
This is why Aboriginal groups can be so violently opposed to mining and other invasive activities on sacred and special sites on their traditional lands. But they also recognise that land is a communal resource. If their right to control use and access is recognised, they are usually ready to negotiate shared access or use agreements.
The other fundamental relationship is with the extended family and with clan and ‘skin’ groups established by religious law and custom. Everyone has a place and a relationship with all other members of the immediate and extended group. This involves defined rights and obligations which must be observed.
Emphasis is on the welfare of the community rather than the individual.
During creation, spirit beings travelled over the land creating the natural environment and remaining as rocks, rivers and waterholes when their work was done. Traditionally, Aboriginal people learn from childhood the history and spiritual significance of each feature of their country’s landscape. The land nurtures them, and in return they have sacred responsibilities to protect it.
This is why Aboriginal groups can be so violently opposed to mining and other invasive activities on sacred and special sites on their traditional lands. But they also recognise that land is a communal resource. If their right to control use and access is recognised, they are usually ready to negotiate shared access or use agreements.
The other fundamental relationship is with the extended family and with clan and ‘skin’ groups established by religious law and custom. Everyone has a place and a relationship with all other members of the immediate and extended group. This involves defined rights and obligations which must be observed.
Emphasis is on the welfare of the community rather than the individual.
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