Topic 2: Australian Aboriginal Beliefs and Spiritualities - The Dreaming Flashcards
What is the Dreaming?
The core of Aboriginal spirituality. It underpins all beliefs, knowledge and practices in Aborginal communities. The Dreaming is the Aborginal Australian’s view of creation and the past, present and future. Explains the origins of the universe and the workings of nature and the cycle of life and death.
What are sacred sites?
Places within the universe that have significance to Aboriginal culture or where events occured in the Dreaming.
Why might a place be a sacred site?
It could be a burial ground, ceremonial ground, birthing cave, etc)
Give examples of landscapes that could be sacred sites
Hills
Rocks
Waterholes
Trees
In what ways can the Dreaming be expressed?
Song
Dance
Art
Ritual
Kinship
Story
Why do Aboriginal peoples use symbols in their art?
Preserves their culture and tradition and gives the ability to tell Dreaming stories.
What types of art are common in Aboriginal culture?
Body art, painting, tree carving, rock art, bark paiting, dot painting, funeray poles.
How many different Aboriginal languages are there?
Over 700
How are the land and the Dreaming connected?
The land is the physical medium through which the Dreaming is communicated, lived and expressed.
How are identity and the dreaming connected?
Aboriginal peoples believe they are a part of the land and the land is a part of them. The land is their mother; it is steeped in their culture and there is responisibility to care for it.
What is the importance of the Dreaming to Aboriginal peoples?
Gives a social and spritiual base that links them to their culture. Provides the rules and laws for Aboriginal peoples that links them to each other and the land. Hence it is also the basis for the creation of spirit beings, plants and animals, stories and sacred sites.
