The Land: Indigenous Australians and the Making of Space Flashcards
1
Q
What is a goondie/gundy/mia-mia/mai-mai/humpy?
A
- Aboriginal hut
- Vernacular architecture with varying names)
2
Q
Key themes
A
- Importance of climate
- Shade
- Durable wet-weather structures
- Availability of materials
- Use of local materials
- Seasonal Occupation
- Nomadic people
- Use of domes
- Perishability of structures
- Deep kinship with the land
3
Q
Materials
A
- Paper bark - cuts, folds or pleats
- Stringy bark - folded, vaults, V-shape roof, can be supported
- Spinifex
- Leaves
4
Q
Planning
A
- Similar to non-pedigree urban settlement
- Organised family groupings
- Ritual separation of men and women
- Unmarried men
- Wives and children
- Menstruating women
- Need for wind-break, shade
- Organised around fires
5
Q
A
- Layout of Pitintjatjara Settlement, South Australia
- Windbreaks
- 200 fires
6
Q
What is a wiltja?
A
- Enclosed shelter
- Lightweight shade shelter
- More durable waterproof shelter
7
Q
A
- Platform shelter
- Arnhem, Northern Queensland
- Use of stilts in wet, humid conditions
8
Q
Cultural characteristics
A
- Each site has its own energy
- Dream time stories
- Responsibility for land
- Oneness with land - perishability of architecture
- Ritual use of land (mestruation, marriage, child birth)
- Divided by religion + dialect
9
Q
Gunyah for deceased
A
- Dwelling for the dead
- Life after death
- Interchangeability of life and death
- Perishability of structure
- Stringy bark, tied at top
- Parcel inside carries remains - weighted down by stone
