ABORIGINAL CULTURE,
Australia
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At contact, there was no single,
homogeneous Aboriginal society. Groups
differed in aspects of their cultural and
separate organisations. In the Northern
Territory alone, over 100 different
languages were spoken.
Like wise music, dance, kinship systems, art
forms and ceremonies differed dramatically
between regions. Yet the surface differences
were less important than the underlying
similarities which brought different groups
together for ceremonies and trade which
allowed for groups to intermarry and allowed
the maintenance in turn of myths and song
lines and exchange cycles that extended for
100s of kilometres. Even today, there is one
Aboriginal Society but many different
regional variations. This variation shows up
in their dance, Aboriginal art and even the
stories of the Dreamtime the elders tell.
The tropical north is a creative hub for
traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art.
Art has always been an important part of
Rainforest Aboriginal culture and is sold
through local art galleries, artefact
workshops and Aboriginal culture centres.
There are many dance groups in the tropical
north performing traditional dances handed
down from generation to generation. The
dancers show in their dance how all aspects
of Rainforest Aboriginal culture connect –
song and dances celebrating and teaching
about the importance of country and keeping
Aboriginal culture strong.
The traditional Indigenous owners of land at
the Daintree is the Kuku Yalanji tribe,
believed to have inhabited the
Daintree
Rainforest for the last 9000 years. Forming
5 groups inhabiting along the rivers,
coastal frontages and mountain peaks. The
Kuku Yalanji culture is very uniquely
acclimated to its Daintree environment. They
used the rainforest for food, shelter,
clothing and even weapons, but always in
harmony to the environment. They have a deep
respect for the rainforest as told in their
stories called Dreamtime
A number of award winning
indigenous tours
are on offer to experience the Daintree
through the eyes of the traditional
landowner. A visit to Mossman Gorge, part of
the Kuku Yalanji’s land is worth the day’s
visit. Take their 1 ½ hour Dreamtime Walk to
learn from an indigenous tour guide the ways
of the rainforest. The Aboriginal Culture
Centres in this region are worth the time to
visually enjoy their dance, art, history and
culture.
CONTACT US
direct to advise on local Aboriginal Tours,
Culture Centres and even Aboriginal art
galleries in the tropical north.
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