Revision/Study Notes Flashcards
What are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origins?
It is believed that they are of Melanesian origin. They have lived here for over 60,000 years {oldest continuous culture in the world}. They were sustainable letting their land regenerate.
How many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are there in the population of Australia?
Their population in Australia is 984,000 making it 3.8%. This is an increase from 2016 of when there was 185,000.
How many languages do they have?
At the time of colonisation there were 250 distinct languages. Of the 145 left, 110 are endangered. This is hard because it isn’t easy to pass down these languages with few people with the skills to teach it.
Where do aboriginal people live?
They live in all states of Australia. The majority live in cities and urban areas while some choose to live in remote areas where it is easier to live the traditional lifestyle also for better access to country.
How do they use and interact with the land?
They interacted closely with the land as it was critical for their survival for providing food and shelter for their physical survival. They were sensible towards their land {also animals and plants} to make sure they only used what they needed; in this way the land could sustain them and regenerate.
What are their beliefs?
They believed in an all encompassing connection to the land. This was described as Dreamtime which included songs, dance, stories and artwork which detailed how the earth was made and the traditions and cultural beliefs passed down from one generation to the next. The stories explained why the natural landforms were the way they are e.g. Big Rock Story, The Rainbow Serpent etc. They don’t believe in a single god they believe in ancestral spirits. They may have lived in Totems for the First Nations people to look after.
Identify how the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people connect with the land
The land was connected to them in all ways. The land is within them and they are within the land. They depend on the land for survival but also respect the ancestral spirits residing in the natural landforms and sacred places all around them.
Why is the Acknowledgement of country so important?
They have experienced significant exclusion from society for many years. Many non-Aboriginals have not had the opportunity to learn and celebrate the rich cultures. Acknowledging them in events is one part of ending this exclusion. It recognises the first custodians of this land and promotes awareness of history and culture.
Reasons/Events the First Nations People and Orang Asli can’t live traditionally
First Nations People
* Loss of traditional land
* Loss of language
* Loss of culture
* Loss of population
Loss of hunting skills
Loss of human rights
Orang Asli
* Loss of land
* Loss of traditional wooden huts/housing
* Loss of hunting styles
* Loss of food and survival
* Loss of population
* Loss of human rights
* Loss of language
Introducing and including key Indigenous cultural events and dates
There are countless dates which highlights Indigenous history and culture. A great way to be more culturally inclusive is to incorporate these dates and events in kindergarten, classroom, school or workplace. Historically only some dates and events have been highlighted and incorporated into national history. Unfortunately, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events and stories have been overlooked or discredited. It is important to highlight and include the Aboriginal perspective and how it reflects on our national identity.
Flying the flags high
The Aboriginal flag was designed by Harold Thomas, and the Torres Strait Islander flag was designed by Bernard Namok. The significance of it means demonstrating our recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Flags can be used to promote a sense of community, cultural awareness and demonstrate a commitment to acknowledge Aboriginal culture.
Orang Asli
The term Orang Asli can be translated as ‘original peoples’. The word ‘orang’ means people and the term ‘asli’ comes from the Arabic word asali. Orang Asli are all descendants of the earliest known inhabitants of the Malay Peninsula and lived in West Malaysia long before the arrival of other races.
Tribes and Population/Orang Asli
The Orang Asli of the Malay Peninsula (West Malaysia) are divided into a great number of tribal groups, some of which have very little contact with one another. Each of the tribal groups have their own language and style of living. They only make up 0.5% of the Malay population. There are 3 sub-groups within this small population – The Senoi, the Aboriginal-Malays and the Negritos.
Living conditions/Orang Asli
Modern life has seen many of the Orang Asli moved from their traditional wooden houses to concrete houses provided by the government. This has been due to the loss of traditional lands. The Orang Asli are not well-off from a material and nutritional perspective. Many settlements lack basic amenities such as piped water and electricity and their ability to hunt and fish.
Language/Orang Asli
The Orang Asli do not have a written language and therefore no written history. They rely on their histories being passed down by word of mouth. It is common for the Orang Asli to speak more than one language due to their contact with other ethnic groups.
