Aboriginal Spirituality

Aboriginal culture

The rich and diverse traditions, practices, and beliefs of the indigenous people of Australia, who have inhabited the land for over 40,000 years.

Totem

A symbol or emblem representing an individual or community's identity and role within Aboriginal culture. Totem poles were often used to display these identities.

Aboriginal Dreaming

A metatemporal concept that encompasses the past, present, and future as a complete and present reality. It is the teaching of Aboriginal spirituality, emphasizing the interconnectedness of land, kinship, and dreaming.

Unseen/ancestral spirits

Spirits that are believed to reside in the land and give life and reality to the visible world. They are an integral part of Aboriginal ceremonies and are considered to be present in thin spaces.

Aboriginal art

Artistic expressions that hold religious themes and sacred significance in Aboriginal culture. Traditionally, most art was temporary and used in ceremonies, but now it is often created on canvas or boards.

Connection to the land

The deep bond between Aboriginal people and the land, which is seen as a source of ancestral beings and a fundamental aspect of their identity. Loss of land results in a loss of identity for Aboriginal individuals and communities.