SOR 1 : Religion and Belief Systems in Australia post-194

Contemporary Aboriginal Spiritualities

• Aboriginal spirituality as determined by the dreaming

Dreaming

• A metatemporal concept meaning it is a concept that incorporates the past present and future

The Dreaming is…..

• foundation and spiritual belie syst

• Creati of world by ances

• Meta tem and inextrib

inextricably connected to the land

(Deeply linked and cannot be seperated)

The spiritual belief system of Aboriginal peoples, explaining the creation of the world by ancestral beings. It is metatemporal, existing beyond past, present and future, and is inextricably connected to the land, culture and way of life.

Dreaming stories

1. Tidallik the Frog

2. The Blue Wren

3. Wayamba

1. Tidalik the Frog

The story of Tiddalik teaches the importance of the environment, especially water resources. It also teaches to not be greedy and the importance of teamwork.

2. The Blue Wren

• The blue wren (bird) teaches that everyone has unique characteristics

• Teaches to not deceive others as one will always face consequences. 

Totem

• A natural object or animal that is believed to have a spiritual signifiance

1. Kinship

• The Dreaming establishes relationships between individuals, family, community, ancestors and the land.

• It defines roles, responsibilities and how people relate to each other

2. Ceremonial Life + example (Kula….)

• The Dreaming provides the basis for ceremonies that maintain connections with ancestral beings, the land and the spiritual world.

• Ceremonies pass down cultural knowledge, traditions

Kulama Ceremony

Kulama Ceremony

• It is a celebration of life and food, occurring at the end of the wet season.

• The Kulama ceremony was given to the Tiwi people by the Nyingawu (little spirit people as depicted in Tiwi Dreaming stories).

Death and Burial rituals

• Death is the final ceremony of life, when spirit returns to dreaming

3. Obligation to the land and people

• The Dreaming establishes the responsibility to care for Country, protect sacred sites and maintain the natural environment.

• Caring for sacred sites (waterholes, rock formations) connected to Dreaming stories, learning and

  passing on Dreamtime stories tied to their country

Example of Obligation to Land and People

• Artwork of the Tiwi People

• Reflects their relationship with the Ancestor Spirits

The Effect of Disposession (defintion)

The forced removal of people from their land or the loss of their land and rights without their consent.

Context on Dispossession

• When the British arrived in 1770, they ignored Aboriginal ownership and declared Australia Terra Nullius (Land beloning to no one)

Dispossession of Aboriginal Spirituality in relation to:

1. Land

2. Kinship groups

3. Stolen Generation

Sepration from Land (importance, effect, result

• Aboriginal land is sacred and central to their Dreaming

• Being removed, broke spiritual ties and made cermonies difficult/impossible

• Many sacred sites were destroyed or lost

Seperation from Kinship Groups ( how, aim , result

• The Government forced many Aboriginal people to live in Christian Missions, away from Traditional Lands

• Aim to control aboriginal people and weaken their culture

• Resulted in fewer opportunites to pass down knowledge

The Stolen Generation

Aboriginal children in Australia forcibly removed from their families to be cared for on missions, in institutions.

Aim of Stolen Genraiton (protect from abu, ensiure edu, assiml into wes (claimed it…)

• Was to protect them from perceived abuses,

• ensure they were given a good education

• assimilate into Western society

IMPACT of stolen generaiton (Highly important)

cultural geno, suffer from maltre, breakdown of kinsh, deep trau

• Caused cultural genocide (deliberate destruction of a culture, including its traditions, beliefs, language and spiritual practices.)

• Aboriginal children suffered maltreatment, humiliation, emotional and sexual abuse, and torturous working conditions

• Breakdown of kinship groups and a loss of purpose.

• 
  

• 
  

• Deep and long lasting trauma

  
  

Land Rights Movement

• A movement seeking legal recognition of Indigineous people traditional ownership of the land

3 types of Movements

1. Mabo Decision (1992)

2. Native Title ACT 1993

3. Wik Decision (1996)

1. Mabo Decision (1992) (overtuned ter, and acknow aboriginal poeple have nativ rig..

• Overturned the idea of terra nullius, acknoloweding that Aboriginal people have native title rights to their lands

• Eddie Mabo led the land rights movement

2. Native Title Act 1993

• Provided a legal process of Aboriginal people to reclaim the land and aimed to structure the mabo descison

3. Wik Decision (1996)

ruled that naitve title can coe,, with pas leas

expand the sco of nt

• Ruled that the native title can coexist with pastoral leades

Meaning…

• Pastoral land owners and indegionous land owners can share land

• Expanded the scope of the native title

IMPORTANT ( importance of Dreaming for Land Rights Movement)

The Dreaming is the…

• Foundation of Aborignal spirituality, sharing an inextricable connection towards the land

Land is not a phy___

• Physical territory, but a lviing aspect

• Holds sacred sites, stories and totemic beings

Why is the LRM important for dreaming

(3)

• Restores spiritual connection

• Maintian cultural practises

• Fulfill obligations