1.3 Questions

1.      How old is Australian Aboriginal culture?

50 000 years old

2.      What is the Dreamtime?

The dreamtime refers to the ‘time before time’ when all things were created by the spiritual ancestors.

3.      What are Dreaming stories?

Dreaming stories contain valuable lessons about how to survive, where to find food and water, and how to avoid danger.

4.      How is Aboriginal knowledge passed on?

Aboriginal knowledge is passed on by elders in stories, music and art.

5.      What do the Aboriginal people mean by ‘country’?

‘Country’ when used by Aboriginal people, refers to a spiritual place that gives and receives life, and has its own consciousness.

6.      Why is the Rainbow Serpent significant?

The rainbow serpent is important because it is seen as the mother of all aboriginal tribes and the creature of the world in Aboriginal culture.

7.       How did the Rainbow Serpent form the landscape?

The rainbow serpent travelled all over the land, forming mountain and deep channels with her body. Great rains filled the ranges and deep channels where her body wound its way. The places she did not travel remained flat and became the deserts.

8.      Why do Aboriginal people respect the land?

Aboriginal people respect the land because if they don’t the rainbow serpent will come out of hiding and punish those who have broken her laws (her laws being to respect rocks and trees, and the very earth itself.)

9.      What is a common theme in Aboriginal stories?

A common theme in aboriginal stories is spirituality presence.

10.   Choose one of the stories in this unit and summarise it in your own words.

Rainbow Serpent

Long ago in the Dreamtime there was a rainbow serpent, who was the mother of all things, was asleep in the centre of the earth.

One day the Rainbow Serpent awoke and began to form mountains and channels with her body. Rain filled the channels and made rivers and lakes. Where she didn’t travel to remained flat and turned to deserts.

The Rainbow Serpent then called on all the living creatures to populate the earth. These included birds, animals and human tribes. She told them to live in harmony with the land and if they didn’t she would punish them.

11.   Discuss how Aboriginal people’s perspective of landforms would influence their use of the land. Present your ideas to the rest of the class.