|
|
Australia
Important Termnology
Dreamtime
The creation of time. This symbolises that all life to the Aboriginal people is part of on interconnected system, one vast network of relationships which came into existence with the stirring of the great archetypes, the spirit ancestors who emerged during the Dreamtime.
Creative Ancestors
These came in many shapes and forms and found themselves in the void, the featureless landscape, the waveless ocean. They had descended from the sky or came from the sea and when they reached the land they commenced their work of creation, not only making all things but naming them. The creative ancestors are responsible for evertyhing there is, including the laws, customs and languages.
The Rainbow Serpent
A creative ancestor (mother of Life). A giant serpent (snake) who had been sleeping under the ground pushed upward and writhed across the void, creating as she went along the landscape in which we live today.
Uluru
This is the Aboriginal name for Ayers Rock. This is a giant sandstone monolith rising nearly 400 metres above the surrounding desert. It is perhaps the most sacred place for Aboriginal people right across Australia, for here many ancestral and Dreaming tracks came together.
Emu
The Emu is a huge flightless long necked bird, similar to an Ostrich.
Platypus
This is a small mammal with a furry body similar to a beaver and it has a flat, duck-like bill.
Kookaburra
A laughing bird that is similar in appearance to a Kingfisher but larger and speckled brown in colour.
Galah
A grey and pink parrot.
Totems
These are a way of ordering the universe and the species therein. In the Dreamtime human beings were one with their Dreaming. They were at once Fish, Emus, Kangaroos, Waterlillies etc. After being given human form the animal etc, then became their Totem or Dreaming.
||
Home |
Index |
The project |
Organisers |
Australia |
Art and Culture |
Gallery |
Web Links |
Contact
Nigel Sagar
London Borough of
Barking and Dagenham
Education, Arts & Libraries
The Westbury Centre
Ripple Road
Barking
IG11 7PT
Tel: 020 8270 4829
Fax: 020 8270 4811
nigel.sagar@lbbd.gov.uk