Aboriginal Spirituality

Question 1

what is the land

Answer 1

the land is the physical median where the dreaming can be expressed

Question 2

what is the human world

Answer 2

• people
• rules of behaviour
• family relationships (kinship)
• ritual actions
• links to the land

Question 3

what is the physical world

Answer 3

• sky
• animals (totemic relationship)
• links to the land

Question 4

what is the sacred world

Answer 4

• law
• punishment
• healing/ seeing the future
• stories
• links to the land

Question 5

define the origins of the universe

Answer 5

how the world became

Question 6

define meta temporal

Answer 6

beyond time and space

Question 7

define inextricably connected

Answer 7

the connections between two things are essential or extremely close

Question 8

how are stories of the dreaming shown?

Answer 8

• kinship
• song
• dance
• art
• ritual
• story

Question 9

define kinship

Answer 9

the complex way system of relationships that govern the way they interact with each other in the community

Question 10

define aboriginal dreaming

Answer 10

the dreaming is an Aboriginal relio- cultural worldview that encompasses a metatemporal world

Question 11

define the dreaming

Answer 11

the spiritual aspect of aboriginal religion that encapsulates both the spiritual and physical dimensions giving meaning to all aspects of life

Question 12

define religio- cultural

Answer 12

customs and traditions that are based on cultural and religious practices

Question 13

define meta temporal

Answer 13

Beyond space and time.

Question 14

define animistic

Answer 14

A religious worldview that provides a soul or spirit to inanimate objects.

Question 15

define geocentric

Answer 15

A land based spirituality.

Question 16

define physical world

Answer 16

Everything upon and within the land (human, plants etc.)

Question 17

define metaphysical world

Answer 17

Beyond the human experience of the land. It includes; creation stories, ethical guidance, kindship, totemic relationships, obligations to land and all aspects to Aboriginal culture.

Question 18

what is the meaning of the first layer?

Answer 18

The most obvious and open and is accessible to all.

Question 19

what is the meaning of the second layer and further layers?

Answer 19

Not so obvious and require some degree of experience of, or relationship with Aboriginal people; these layers give the full story, with all the details, meaning and significance.

Question 20

what is the meaning of the deepest layers with an e.g.

Answer 20

These are sacred and are only available to Elders and initiated Aboriginal people; these layers give the full story, with all details and significance. E.g. The Sugar Leaf Dreaming at Ngarlu.

Question 21

Many ceremonies are a combination of public and sacred ceremonies.

Answer 21

The sacred nature of ceremonies has parallels through all Aboriginal life - certain sites may only be visited by certain people; e.g. women or Elders for the purpose of initiation.

Question 22

define the inextricable link

Answer 22

the connection between two or more things are essential or extremely close.

Question 23

explain the importance of land to first nations people

Answer 23

Aboriginal law and spirituality are intertwined with the land, the people and creation, and this forms their culture and sovereignty. The health of land and water is central to their culture. Land is their mother, is steeped in their culture, but also gives them the responsibility to care for it.