The Aborigines are
the Australian
natives that have
been living there
for thousands of
years before the
first Europeans
came to Australia
in the 1700s.
Diversity of Aborigines
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There is great diversity among different
Indigenous communities and societies in
Australia, each with its own unique mixture of
cultures, customs and languages. In present day
Australia, these Aboriginal groups are further
divided into local communities.
With this mind, we must be careful not over
generalize the Aboriginal culture.
Aborigines (cont’d)
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The word “Aborigine”
comes from a Latin
word meaning “from
the beginning.”
Scientists believe that
Aborigines traveled to
Australia from
Southeast Asia on
boats via a land bridge
over 40,000 years ago.
CORE BELIEF SYSTEM
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“Dreamtime” is at the center of the Aborigines belief
system and describes the mystical time when the
Aboriginal people established their world.
“Dreamtime” explains the origins of the people and of
the land. Dreamtime includes a story of how things
have happened, how the universe came to be, how
humans were created, and how the Creator intended for
humans to function in this world
Food of the Aborigines
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Until about the 1700’s the Aborigines the
Aborigines lived in the Australian deserts where
no one location provided enough food for them.
Because of this they were constantly on the
move always hunting for their next meal.
Types of animals hunted:
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kangaroos, birds, bats, and fish
Hunting tools: the boomerang & spear
Other food was collected from the land
Hunting (cont’d)
THE BOOMERANG:
HUNTING VIDEO:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DDHxOq
FkAs
Shelter
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Aboriginal people built simple shelters that
changed season to season.
Trees were chosen as a primary resource because
they could provide natural windbreaks and
shade. The trunks also provided sturdy material.
Walls of the shelters were often decorated by
finger painting.
Language
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There were over 250 Aboriginal languages in
Australia before European settlement. Today,
about 100 of those still exist.
One of the languages that has been recorded
and is still in use to today is Wajarri.
The Wajarri language is very different from
English and many of the sounds in Wajarri do
not exist in English… no letters in our alphabet
for Wajarri sounds.
Speak Wajarri! (or try…)
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English
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Mom
Tomorrow
Hungry
Sun
Night Time
Look out!
Go Away!
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Wajarri
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Yagu
Mungal
Nyarrun
Garangu
Marungga
Balayi!
Yanma!
Clothing
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The types of clothing worn was influenced by
the different weather conditions:
MEN: wore “girdles” which were made from fur or
twine.
 WOMEN: typically wore something that resembled
an apron made out of leaves and possum skin. After
European settlement women began covering
themselves more.
Decorations (including white paint) were worn by both
men and women.
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Clothing (cont’d)
Music and Dancing
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The traditional music of indigenous Australians holds a
lot of meaning to their culture.
Music is used throughout an aboriginal's life to teach
what must be known about their culture, about their
place in it, and about its place in the world of nature
and super nature. As a very young child, the aboriginal
is encouraged to dance and sing about everyday tasks.
Music and dancing are often used as a means of
communication.
Music and Dancing (cont’d)
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The Didgeridoo is a wind instrument
developed by the Aborigines at least 1,500 years
ago and is still in widespread usage.
It is sometimes described as a natural wooden
trumpet
The instrument is traditionally made from
Eucalyptus trees which have had their interiors
hollowed out by termites or died of other
causes.
Didgeredoo
Music/Dancing videos
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Music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC9w4K
WEgJE
Dance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQGApoH
MZYI
History- European Settlement
Captain James Cook
discovered Australia in
1770. He was sent to
discover the huge land
that many people
believed was south of
the equator. He landed
south of present day
Sydney in New South
Wales. He claimed this
part of the land for the
King of England.
European Settlement (cont’d)
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Europeans stole Aboriginal land and killed thousands of
Aborigines. They also brought new diseases with them
Which killed off a lot of the Aboriginal population.
In 1770, there were about 300,000 Aborigines. Now,
there are 120,000. It is becoming harder and harder for
Aborigines to continue their traditional way to live.
During the early 1900’s the white Australian government
enacted and enforced removal policies that continues to
affect the Aborigines today…