Aboriginal Beliefs and Spiritualities: The Dreaming

Flashcards reviewing key concepts and terms related to Aboriginal beliefs and the Dreaming.

The Dreaming

A complex system of beliefs and practices that explains the Australian landscape and empowers the people to live on the land.

Ancestral Beings

Spiritual ancestors that arose from the earth in the Dreaming and shaped the natural world.

Dreaming Tracks

Trails left behind by ancestral spirits that are marked in the geography and tribal lands.

Sacred Sites

Natural land formations associated with Ancestral Beings that are important to Aboriginal people.

Totemism

The belief that specific plants and animals are associated with ancestor spirits, forming kinship ties.

Rainbow Serpent

A Dreaming story that describes how the land was transformed from a dry landscape to one filled with life.

Cultural Responsibilities

The moral obligation of Aboriginal people to preserve and enhance life in accordance with traditional laws.

Custodianship

Active management practices to care for the land and maintain its resources, emphasizing the role of Aboriginal people as land stewards.

Dreamtime Stories

Narratives that convey Aboriginal spiritual beliefs, including ethical teachings and the creation of the land.

Spiritual Identity

The connection of Aboriginal people to their land and culture, expressed through Dreaming stories, art, and ceremonies.