Aboriginal Culture

10 Things You Must Know in Aboriginal Culture

Australia’s Aboriginal culture is probably one of the oldest cultures on the planet and so it the aboriginal art. Their history dates back to more than ten thousand years, and they have been evolving ever since.

Isn’t it amazing that there is so much about them learn that it still fascinates numerous anthropologists? This article sheds some light on the must-know things of Aboriginal culture.

Here are the top 10 things you must know in aboriginal culture.

Dates back to 50000 years’ back

You would be fascinated to know that Australian aboriginal culture is more than 50,000 years old. Some even argue that it goes to 65,000. It means that Australia’s aboriginal culture is one of the oldest on the planet.

Adaptability

Since Australian Aboriginal culture has been evolving for numerous centuries, it is evident that they are the world’s most adaptable cultures.

English Language

Another interesting fact about Australia’s aboriginal culture is that many English words have been derived from aboriginal languages. Want to know a few? Here are few of the words that have become a part of modern Australian English language but are derived from the aboriginal languages:

  • Barramundi
  • Dingo
  • Kangaroo
  • Kookaburra
  • Boomerang
  • Yak
  • Bung
  • koala

Dreamtime

As per the belief in Aboriginal culture, Dreamtime is how you know the world was created. It explains the concept of life and depth. In the Dreamtime stories, the ancecstral spirits came to the earth in human form and then made animals, plants, and other life forms.

It is also believed that these ancestral spirits then took shapes of trees, stars, rocks, or other objects.

Use of Boomerang

The traditional Australian aboriginals used boomerangs for hunting animals. The hunters used boomerangs for hunting kangaroos and were only to be used by men. Women were not allowed to partake in hunting activities.

Respect

The aboriginal culture was based on mutual respect. It also included respect for the land you live in and for your elders.

Aboriginal Art

Aboriginal art goes back to the dates of the onset of this culture. The unique display of the skills via art is what made the aboriginal art so impressive. Initial artworks were done on rocks. This art culture evolved with time, but we can still find traces of this impressive heritage in modern indigenous artists’ works.

The Healers

In every community, there are ancient remedies to various ailments. In Australian aboriginal culture, they were known as The Healers. They were highly respected people who served as a custodian to many Dreaming stories.

Ceremonies

The ceremonies have been a part of Australia’s culture since ancient times. It continues to be a part of this rich tradition of spiritual believes and cultural practices.

Music

The aboriginal people have created their unique instruments to play music in a folk style.   The didgeridoo is considered the national instrument of Aboriginal Australians. Other common names in music are the Kakadu and clapping sticks.

Final Thoughts

The Aboriginal culture is one of the most ancient ones, and there are few things one should be aware of while in Australia. This article explained the most important things that you must know in Aboriginal culture, including aboriginal art, language, music, ceremonies, etc.