Nature of the Dreaming

  1. Outline the nature of the Dreaming in relation to:

a. Origins of the universe (2 Creation Stories)

Example 1: The Rainbow Serpent

The Rainbow Serpent is the creator and protector of water and symbolises rebirth. The gender of the snake differs based on where the story is told from. A commonly held belief is that the serpent is the spirit of the waterholes and therefore respect is commonly paid at these sites.

  • The serpent is believed to have shaped the Australian landscape by carving rivers, mountains, and waterholes.

  • The serpent emerged when the earth was flat and still and brought water and to the earth.

  • Waking the frogs, water filled the land and human life was given to all those who obeyed, with their original life (animal) becoming their totem which they must care for.

In short, the Rainbow Serpent created indentations in the earth which resulted in landforms and through that, have human life to those who obeyed and respected the land.

Tribe:

  • The Rainbow Serpent story does not belong to one tribe but instead is a story that varies across a range of tribes. For example, in Arnhem land the serpent is known as Ngalyod whereas in the Kimberley it is known as Ungud.

Example 2: Wandjina

The Wiradjuri tribe is the largest Aboriginal nation in NSW.