Aboriginal SpiritualityAboriginal Spirituality is very evident in Aborigines lives as it connects them with their sacred land. If you are of Aboriginal culture it means you follow their values and traditions in their faith.
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BeliefsAboriginal culture in Australia is one which is very diverse, this means that there is no set book and set of rules and laws that every Aboriginal person follows. Each group although very different, all share the similarity of the connection with their land which they live on. Central beliefs include: the group members believe that their small area of land was founded by a spirit being or beings, who came and shaped the land to what it is now, the spirit beings gave the land and it's chaos a meaning and the land was given to the particular clan forever, which then cannot be taken away, sold, or given away to anyone else for all eternity.
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Myths and sacred storiesMythology:
In Aboriginal Spirituality, myths are used as sacred stories about the land, it's origins and it's people. These myths are not non-fictional history however, they do include some elements of religious truth. Rather than being spoken or written down, these myths or stories about the land are often sung, danced and acted out. The Dreaming: In Aboriginal Spirituality, the 'Dreaming' are sacred stories, that exist in a timeless world. Aboriginals fine their sense of faith through 'dreaming'. Each individual is born in the dreaming and learn about life through the dreaming rituals. These Dreamings are the foundation for all aspects of Aboriginal life, religion and spirituality. These dreaming myths are living stories about the people and their ancestor spirits, These stories are set out to describe the land and it's owners, and the relationship that each individual has with the land. |
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Sacred Texts and Other Religious WritingsFor Aboriginal Spirituality, there is no true scared text like there is for Judaism or Christianity. This is because all stories or myths were communicated orally between individuals.
Cave paintings, although not a text but carry a similar meaning and significance. These were able to tell stories of the dreamtime and the unseen. |
RitualsThere are many rituals that occur in Aboriginal Spirituality. These Rites include-
- The rites of passage - this marks the point when a child travels from childhood to adulthood (initiation) or from life to death (mortuary rituals). - The initiation - the time when they learn to be a senior, they learn the more important stories which they will pass down about the land and the Dreamtime. - The mortuary rituals - involve the mourners to paint them selves in white and perform songs and dances till their spirit leaves to travel to its home place to be reborn. There are also rituals for celebrating the ancestors spirits and love rituals to attract potential partners. |
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SymbolsAboriginal symbols have many different meanings, which are literal and the meaning which may not be seen directly from the surface. On the left are examples of some of the symbols which were used and are used in Aboriginal Spirituality, largely seen in Aboriginal cave paintings.
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Social StructuresThe social structure of Aboriginal Spirituality lies on age. Those who are young, will learn about the stories which they will later become the tellers of. Through participating in rituals and customs they will become elder’s. Elders are those who educate and govern the law.
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Ethical Principles or Oral and Written Codes of BehaviourThe Elder’s council is one which part of the court system of Aboriginal culture and who govern the law. In this, the council is separated so only female elders look after female matters and visa versa for males. This is because only that which effects that gender should be dealt by those who are of that gender.
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Religious Experiences and SpiritualityReligious experiences, as mentioned in other pages, comes down to the spiritual experiences that one individual experiences, these can be religious or non religious. These experiences have a grave impact on ones life.
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