Aboriginal Spirituality

Question 1

The Dreaming

Answer 1

★ Dreaming: the concept which underpins all beliefs and practices in Aboriginal communities. Represents all knowledge & understanding among Aboriginal society

• explains the origin of the universe
• Metatemporal: incorporates the past, present, & future reality as a complete and present reality
• Land is the medium through which the Dreaming is communicated

Question 2

DREAMING IN RELATION TO: ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE

Answer 2

★ Time is cyclical (no distinct beginning or end): no past, present or future, only one complete reality which has always existed, and always will
★ They do not have a universal story that explains creation
★ Addressed through specific Dreaming stories, which explain how the physical universe come into being
❖ The Rainbow Serpent: no singular story

Question 3

outline the nature of the Dreaming in relation to:

– sacred sites

Answer 3

● Places where Ancestor Spirits live
● Connected to specific Dreaming stories and events
• An individual is inextricably linked to their land
• Aboriginal people a responsibility

Question 4

outline the nature of the Dreaming in relation to:

– stories of the Dreaming

Answer 4

• There are practical and ethical stories with meaning relating to the relationship between groups and totems.

• learning these is a lifelong process
• generations pass the stories

Tiddalik the Frog: teaches people not to be greedy

Question 5

outline the nature of the Dreaming in relation to:

– symbolism and art

Answer 5

● Way to explain big spiritual concepts:
○ Creation of the Universe
○ Laws and Taboos
○ The Dreaming
Artforms, Painting, Body painting, Drawings in the sand, Song,Symbolic dance

Question 6

discuss the diversity of the Dreaming for Aboriginal peoples

Answer 6

There are about 900 Aboriginal nations within Australia, therefore is enormous diversity in the way the Dreaming is expressed. Overall, the belief in notion of the Dreaming is the overriding commonality, which binds different Aboriginal nations together.

Question 7

recognise the importance of the Dreaming for the life of Aboriginal peoples

Answer 7

• The Dreaming is inextricably linked to the land as it the land is the medium through which Dreaming is lived and communicated.
• Thus, the identity of an Aboriginal person can be said to be inextricably linked with the land
- Establishes the rules linking the relationship between Aboriginal people, the land, all things associated with Aboriginal life
- Experienced through songs, stories, rituals and symbols
- Dreamtime stories teach people lessons e.g. Tiddalik the Frog: don’t be greedy

Question 8

investigate the inextricable connection of the Dreaming, the land and identity

Answer 8

• Dreaming, land and identity - all connected
• The Dreaming is inextricably connected to land. It is the physical link to the invisible, eternal, spiritual world.
  • Identity – ‘I feel with my body, with my blood… all this country’ - big bill Neidjie elder, Kakadu. The land is part of their identity. They are a part of the living environment.

The Dreaming is inextricably linked to the land because the land contains the Dreaming and is the medium through which the Dreaming is lived and communicated. That is, the land is where the Dreaming and its stories take place, and subsequently forms the resting place for their ancestral spirit beings.