Nature of the Dreaming Flashcards
Describe how the Dreaming of Aboriginal Australians explains the creation of the universe
Universe was formerly a void, ancestral beings cam to the land, shaped the landscape, created mountains, rivers, etc. These beings founded life on the land, and transformed themselves into sacred sites, and left their essence on the land, making it sacred.
Provide an example of a Dreaming creation story
Wandjina - a rain maker spirit associated with natural regeneration. This story is expressed by the peoples of the Northwest region of the Kimberly in WA.
Describe how sacred sites are a significant part of Aboriginal Spirituality.
The sacred sites are the location of important events hat occurred during creation, and are also the resting site of the ancestral beings. These sites can be land or rock formations, or water bodies. They are significant as they are used by Aboriginal peoples as burial grounds, meeting places, or artwork sites.
How are sacred sites linked to the Dreaming?
A site is made sacred in the way it expresses an element of the dreaming. These sites give meaning to the natural landscape, anchor cultural values, connected to Dreaming stories or ceremonies.
Provide examples of sacred sites
The Three Sisters - Blue Mountains NSW, Dharug and Gundungarra nations - linked to moral story about Aboriginal marriage laws.
Uluru - owned by Anangu people
What is the importance of stories to Aboriginal Spirituality?
The Dreaming is primarily communicated through stories. They often describe how the ancestral beings created the land. These stories provide the foundation of Aboriginal law, tradition ad behaviour.
Describe the layers of meaning present in Aboriginal stories and artwork.
First layer - accessible to all - surface level understanding
Second layer - requires experience or relationship with Aboriginal Australians, understand the some meaning
Third layer - sacred, only accessible to Elders, full, deeper meaning
Describe an Aboriginal Dreaming Story and its layers of meaning.
Tiddalick the Frog, story from Gippsland Victoria
Story about a frog drinking water and other animals trying to get him to spit it out (first layer). Deeper layers:
- sharing
- water conservation
- teamwork
- listening
What is the importance of artwork to Aboriginal spirituality?
Art is an important method of communicating the Dreaming, illustrates the actions of Ancestral beings in the land. Enables the passage of knowledge with Aboriginal society, comunicates relationship between Ancestral beings and Aboriginal law and rituals.
What is an example of an Aboriginal artwork?
Wagilag Sisters, with Child, 2007, by Philip G. Central Arnhem Land. Represents the Wagilag sisters creation story, where the powerful sisters use their powers to create the land, but lose their powers when they are seduced by humans.
