Outline the Nature of the Dreaming in relation to:
Origins of the Universe
The Dreaming includes explanations of the origins of the universe, that is, how the world came into being through the actions of their ancestral spirit beings, the creation of the physical world and the animals and plants, which inhabit this world. The Dreaming, however, is not regarded as myth by the Aboriginal people. The Dreaming is a metatemporal concept, which incorporates the past, present and future reality as a complete and present reality.
Sacred Sites
The Dreaming is inextricably connected to the land, as the land is the physical medium through which the Dreaming is lived and communicated. Whilst all land is important to all Aboriginal people, particular sites, known as sacred sites, have a special significance for particular Aboriginal groups as they are connected with different events in the Dreaming. Thus, particular groups of Aboriginal people have special responsibilities to care for and to learn from these sites, for example by carrying out prescribed rituals such as balance rites.Whilst traditionally, all Aborigines regard all land as important, particular sites hold a particular significance for some groups of Aboriginal people. These sites are known as sacred sites, and contain certain aspects of the Dreaming, which are believed to have taken place there. Subsequently, ceremonial responsibilities such as balance rites are attached to these sacred sites because Aboriginal people see themselves as related to and a part of this natural world. Balance rites are special ceremonies to increase the reproduction of a particular animal, which is the representation of an ancestral spirit being from the Dreaming. This belief that an animal or a feature of the natural world is an embodiment of the individual in his or her primordial state, is known as totemism. Subsequently, the loss of land, which results in the inability to fulfil ritual responsibilities, is an insurmountable obstacle to effectively live the Dreaming.
Stories of the Dreaming
For Aboriginal communities the telling and learning of the Dreaming stories is a life long process. This process is revealed through many aspects of Aboriginal societies such as kinship, song, dance, art, ritual, and story. Symbolism in art, for example, explains the creation of the natural world and the laws, which stem from this. This is an important way of teaching Aboriginal children about right and wrong behaviour in society. However,symbolism in art cannot be taken at face value for Aboriginal art is esoteric, and has multiple layers of meaning
Symbolism and Art
Animals
Rainbow Serpent - a large snake-like creature whose Dreaming track is always associated with watercourses, such as billabongs, rivers, creeks and lagoons. It is the protector of the land, its people, and the source of all life. However, the Rainbow Serpent can also be a destructive force if it is not properly respected. It is a constant theme in Aboriginal painting and has been found in rock art up to 6,000 years old. It is a powerful symbol of the creative and destructive power of nature. Most paintings of Rainbow Serpents tell the story of the creation of the landscape particular to an artist’s birthplace. It is widely represented spirit of aboriginal mythology. It is know
as Ngalyod.
Goannas – good bush tucker, plentiful food supply.
Dolphins – in aboriginal culture they are often associated with the human spirit.
Turtles – like the journey, the nesting turtle makes to lay its eggs in the sand, the road of mother/parenthood is not always easy.
Kangaroos – are often seen as symbols for warriors. This represents strength of the male, the hunter, protector and provider.
Echidnas – they lay eggs and suckle their young. This represents the feminine aspect of the family. The female is the life giver, represented by the eggs inside the Echidna and the nurturer. The round shape of the echidna symbolises fertility. Two echidnas in the design represent unity and togetherness.
Crocodiles – Baru the Crocodile who is associated with fire. Yirritja fire designs are compositions of diamonds – symbolic of the cracked pattern burned into crocodile skin in the creation era. The interaction of dangerous creatures like crocodiles and stingrays, each of which can inflict pain, is also a metaphor for the pain involved in initiation and ‘men’s business’ or ‘payback’