1. Beliefs ~
It has been recorded in history that Indigenous people have culturally been devoted to the land of Australia for at least 65,000 years, and have a unique, yet complex culture that is known internationally as the ‘oldest living cultural history in the world’. Aboriginal culture has been able to adapt and change exceedingly over time, thus having such an astronomical amount of traditions so well kept and passed from one generation to the next.
Aboriginal spirituality and beliefs are heavily based upon the idea of Dreamtime and The Dreaming. The Dreaming can essentially be defined as the foundation and fundamental importance of Aboriginal culture, that includes many ancestral traditions and past rites, that literally means ‘that springing from its own eternity’. As well as The Dreaming embracing and accepting a creative and long past and present, it is also regarded as the establishment and beginning of everything in reference to an unseen spirit world. The Dreaming is closely linked with connection and spirituality, where the land is not just regarded as dirt, it is a form of life, a whole environment supported by the nourishment of men and women. Dreaming can be experienced and felt on a spiritual level through songs, rituals, ceremonies and symbols, however it is present during the course of travel, hunting and gathering, essential aspects to the life of an Aborigine. Dreaming is concluded as the past, present and future.
Alongside the Indigenous belief of Dreaming, The Rainbow Serpent is a vital and spiritualistic belief, that is associated with Aboriginal ceremonies, fertility and keeping peace within a community. This belief, usually depicted as art or through artistic nature, is responsible for many aspects of human life and the environment, as well as the foundation and boundary for creating human beings, thus the fertility connection. Also referred to as the Rainbow snake, it highlights and notes the importance of water within human life, with the inclusion and link between the cycle of the four seasons; Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring.
The concept of the land, and the connection between the environment and human spirituality is also a major belief within the Indigenous culture. The Land, always regarded as sacred, and equivalent to holy within diverse religions, is where Dreaming, and the idea of the Rainbow Serpent can be shared and shaped through a past, present and future journey. Throughout many Aboriginal communities and tribes, the notion of the land is alive with immense power, and the land is so significant and important due to its ancestral heritage, and connection between past Indigenous, present Indigenous and future Indigenous people.
Aboriginal spirituality and beliefs are heavily based upon the idea of Dreamtime and The Dreaming. The Dreaming can essentially be defined as the foundation and fundamental importance of Aboriginal culture, that includes many ancestral traditions and past rites, that literally means ‘that springing from its own eternity’. As well as The Dreaming embracing and accepting a creative and long past and present, it is also regarded as the establishment and beginning of everything in reference to an unseen spirit world. The Dreaming is closely linked with connection and spirituality, where the land is not just regarded as dirt, it is a form of life, a whole environment supported by the nourishment of men and women. Dreaming can be experienced and felt on a spiritual level through songs, rituals, ceremonies and symbols, however it is present during the course of travel, hunting and gathering, essential aspects to the life of an Aborigine. Dreaming is concluded as the past, present and future.
Alongside the Indigenous belief of Dreaming, The Rainbow Serpent is a vital and spiritualistic belief, that is associated with Aboriginal ceremonies, fertility and keeping peace within a community. This belief, usually depicted as art or through artistic nature, is responsible for many aspects of human life and the environment, as well as the foundation and boundary for creating human beings, thus the fertility connection. Also referred to as the Rainbow snake, it highlights and notes the importance of water within human life, with the inclusion and link between the cycle of the four seasons; Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring.
The concept of the land, and the connection between the environment and human spirituality is also a major belief within the Indigenous culture. The Land, always regarded as sacred, and equivalent to holy within diverse religions, is where Dreaming, and the idea of the Rainbow Serpent can be shared and shaped through a past, present and future journey. Throughout many Aboriginal communities and tribes, the notion of the land is alive with immense power, and the land is so significant and important due to its ancestral heritage, and connection between past Indigenous, present Indigenous and future Indigenous people.
2. Myths and Sacred Stories ~
Many myths described throughout Aboriginal spirituality are generally connected with the land, and its ancestral background/heritage. However, in spite of these described connections, they are not connected or have elements of religious truth. Differently to other religions, Aboriginal spirituality mythology and sacred stories are not evidently written down or recorded. Through the course of history these myths and sacred stories were not read or recorded, but spoken, danced or sung through word of mouth. These sacred contexts have been, and continue to be passed through generations. Sacred stories are also widely linked to The Dreaming, and the expression of spirituality through stories, art and carvings
3. Sacred Texts and Other Religious Writings ~
There are no sacred texts in Aboriginal Spirituality, however, many past stories or myths have been or were communicated orally between individuals. Similar sacred texts or religious writings include paintings, which convey a message without written tradition.
4. Rituals ~
Rituals within Aboriginal Spirituality is a vital aspect to all features of the sacredness of the religion itself. Each diverse society and community associated with the culture shares the same significance of rituals and ceremonies, but can be executed differently, depending on the tribe. One of the most practiced and respected rituals in Aboriginal spirituality are ceremonies, which are generally either held with specific Indigenous people, whole communities or a range of neighbouring societies. Ceremonies and their ritualistic spirituality are usually controlled by adults, where the men, boys or elders in charge use their knowledge to ensure the ancestral Aboriginal traditions continue into the future. For ceremonies to be completely spiritual, they are generally held in sacred spots where spirits are called upon, and evil spirits are deterred and removed. Alongside the spiritual presence of the land, the renewal of plants and animal species are incorporated into ceremonies, additional to weather influence and the attraction of the attention of women. Many ceremonies coexistent within Aboriginal spirituality fall into two distinct classes where one consists of physical transitions, and the other is for periodic reasoning, such as the life cycle. Rituality is learnt through initiation, the development of spirituality, and furthermore a connection to the land.
More rituals linked with Aboriginal spirituality include the following:
More rituals linked with Aboriginal spirituality include the following:
- Initiation. Initiation occurs during the celebration of Dreaming events that admit and girl or boy to a sacred and secret life. A celebration of adulthood.
- Menstruation Rites. This highlights and dignifies the most important status of womanhood through the ritual progression from childhood. Blood is recognised as powerful and sacred, therefore at the initiation of the menstrual cycle, there is a celebration involving water, decorations, colour and food.
- Birth. Ritual that the husband is not allowed to approach his wife or the woman until 5 days after the birth of the baby. Labour however, is a very spiritual experience.
5. Symbols ~
In Aboriginal spirituality symbolism exhibits modernistic and traditional art that usually depicts a sacred story to some extent. Aboriginal history has explored and displayed how past and present Indigenous art has used many conventional designs and symbols to portray an image, and furthermore tell an untold story. These designs are frequently inherited from past communities, and through the act of art, carving, creating and design, connections to land, the ancestors and Dreaming is maintained.
As well as symbolism being art to view from a distance, designs seen throughout Aboriginal culture are also used through body decoration during various rituals associated with the environment and spirituality. Body decorations generally use colours associated with the Aboriginal Flag, which includes red, white, black and yellow, and are typically painted onto the face and body. Dots are exceedingly symbolic in Aboriginal culture as they primarily represent stars, sparks or burnt ground, all fundamental aspects of the environment.
Many symbols used in Aboriginal art are quite simple and generic, however they tell incredible survival stories, as well as myths and sacred analogies that vastly describe the connection between man and the environment/land. To some extent, every Aboriginal design is based on the earth or the ancestral involvement with it.
Below is some of the main graphics used in Aboriginal symbolism today, and have been used by many previous generations of Indigenous inhabitants:
As well as symbolism being art to view from a distance, designs seen throughout Aboriginal culture are also used through body decoration during various rituals associated with the environment and spirituality. Body decorations generally use colours associated with the Aboriginal Flag, which includes red, white, black and yellow, and are typically painted onto the face and body. Dots are exceedingly symbolic in Aboriginal culture as they primarily represent stars, sparks or burnt ground, all fundamental aspects of the environment.
Many symbols used in Aboriginal art are quite simple and generic, however they tell incredible survival stories, as well as myths and sacred analogies that vastly describe the connection between man and the environment/land. To some extent, every Aboriginal design is based on the earth or the ancestral involvement with it.
Below is some of the main graphics used in Aboriginal symbolism today, and have been used by many previous generations of Indigenous inhabitants:
6. Social Structures ~
The social structure within Aboriginal Spirituality is heavily reliant on the concept of Kinship, and it’s meaning amongst many Indigenous societies and communities. Kinship is essentially the system of relationships accepted by a particular culture, and the rights and obligations that individual or community withholds. This can be categorised and deemed as the fabric and foundation of an Aboriginal society.
Traditionally, in past Aboriginal communities, each member of the tribe had a defiant and selected place and role, which determined their contact and relationship with other members of the community. This furthermore allowed many Aboriginals to grow up with a mental and intellectual understanding of relationships, and furthermore, their knowledge of each member’s position in their community was a vital part of their education. This is frequently described as a mental map developed over time.
Through Kinship, everyone who belonged to society, or was a member of a community had a place, and no individual was ever left isolated or outcasted from others. This references back to traditional society being an all-inclusive network with reciprocal obligations of giving and receiving, a significant note of importance when referencing and reinforcing the notion of kinship.
Through this equal social structure enforced, kinship was extended to the land, and humans were accepted as not separate from the soil, but connected and strengthened by it. In modern day, 21st century Aboriginal Spiritual society, the social structure is slightly different, however many main morals concepts have been maintained over time. This includes how tribes are grouped by biological genes and family, as well as the structure of spirituality being based on beliefs, totems and customs.
Traditionally, in past Aboriginal communities, each member of the tribe had a defiant and selected place and role, which determined their contact and relationship with other members of the community. This furthermore allowed many Aboriginals to grow up with a mental and intellectual understanding of relationships, and furthermore, their knowledge of each member’s position in their community was a vital part of their education. This is frequently described as a mental map developed over time.
Through Kinship, everyone who belonged to society, or was a member of a community had a place, and no individual was ever left isolated or outcasted from others. This references back to traditional society being an all-inclusive network with reciprocal obligations of giving and receiving, a significant note of importance when referencing and reinforcing the notion of kinship.
Through this equal social structure enforced, kinship was extended to the land, and humans were accepted as not separate from the soil, but connected and strengthened by it. In modern day, 21st century Aboriginal Spiritual society, the social structure is slightly different, however many main morals concepts have been maintained over time. This includes how tribes are grouped by biological genes and family, as well as the structure of spirituality being based on beliefs, totems and customs.
7. Ethical Principles or Oral and Written Codes of Behaviour ~
A main ethical and moral principle for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is to respect and protect the land. Much of Aboriginal spirituality and culture is based upon the land and environment, therefore it must be looked after so many generations can enjoy the connections and ancestry it withholds. Other principles of Aborigionality include:
- The respect and traditional treatment of tribe and community elders.
- Traditional and Community Elders are those who share connections with the land from ancestry or from a spiritual perspective.
- Gender is specifically divided in Aboriginal heritage, therefore many rituals and ceremonies are undertaken where men and women are separated.
- Maintenance of good religious experiences and spirituality within every community.
8. Religious Experience and Spirituality ~
In order for Aboriginals to be entirely connected with the land, the acknowledgement of environmental and land factors, with respect to spirituality and protection, is vital. This acknowledgement and connection with the land creates a future strong and sustainable ancestry for future Indiegenous societies, but also highlights and notes the past communities who have nourished and nurtured the land as their own. Like many other aspects of Aboriginal Spirituality, respect of the land is an essential aspect for an overall successful religious experience, and furthermore this respect enables a connected and bound spirituality between human and nature.