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Aborigines

Definition

Aborigines are the indigenous people of Australia who have inhabited the continent for over 65,000 years. They possess diverse cultures, languages, kinship systems, and spiritual beliefs that vary across different Aboriginal groups.

Analogy

Imagine each Aboriginal group as an ancient tree with its unique branches representing different aspects of their culture—language, art forms like dot painting or didgeridoo music—that have grown over thousands of years. Just as trees provide shelter and sustenance to various organisms within an ecosystem, Aboriginal cultures nurture their communities.

Related terms

Dreamtime: Dreamtime is an important concept in Aboriginal spirituality that refers to the creation period when ancestral beings shaped landscapes, created laws, and established cultural practices. It encompasses both mythological narratives and sacred sites.

Stolen Generations: The Stolen Generations refers to Aboriginal children forcibly removed from their families between 1910 and 1970 by Australian government policies aimed at assimilating them into white society. This practice caused immense trauma within Aboriginal communities.

Walkabout: Walkabout is a traditional rite of passage among some Aboriginal groups where young individuals embark on a journey through ancestral lands for spiritual growth and connection with their heritage. It involves living off the land and gaining cultural knowledge from elders.