Beliefs Aborigines have always had the belief about oneness with the land, meaning that they are spiritually, mentally and physically connected to the land in which they come from, despite Australia being known for its harsh climate and one of the most isolated places in the world.
Myths and Other Stories The myths believed by Aborigines consist of how and why the world is the way it is now, how people were made and thus came to be alive, and why they must follow certain laws. Ergo, these answers are made to inform Aboriginal Australians of what they believe and to not question it. It is thought that the myths came from the Dreaming, which is an ancestral spirit. There are many spirits, for Aborigines, and take form mainly as animals. Myths are told in many different ways, either as pictures, sung, danced or acted out during rituals. All stories, for Aboriginals are considered sacred. Another belief was that of the Rainbow Serpent, a belief that originally came from Arnhem Land. This belief was that the Rainbow Serpent created the Earth.
Sacred Texts and Other Religious Writings The only type of religious beliefs were passed down generation to generation orally, usually through song. Therefore, there is no Bible or text which contains all Aboriginal Spirituality belief.
Rituals The rituals presented to us by Aboriginals are all complicated, as they can last for more than one day, depending on the ritual. Here are some of the rituals: Rites of Passage These are normally that which announce to the public the new status a person has in the party. Some of these rites include a funeral of an elder or initiation amongst the tribesmen. Rituals of Reconciliation This ritual is commonly used in order to reduce inter-group and intra-group conflicts and tensions around them Increase Rituals These are the more common rituals as they relate to aforementioned cult totems, and are thus used to maintain or bring about once more a particular species. Cultic Rituals These are rituals that celebrate creator spirits and spirits who are apart of an important culture. Magico-Religious Rituals These types of rituals have four main steps to it: - Healing rituals, such as those employed by native doctors - Harming rituals or sorcery - Love-magic rituals - Rain-making rituals
Symbols Symbols are probably the most important aspect of Aboriginal culture, most commonly used to indicate a sacred site. Constructed through a series of dots and lines, each having their own meaning and all tell stories sacred to Aboriginal Australians.
Social Structures An Aboriginal Australian society is ruled or governed by Elders. What is so effective about this that male Elders ran men's business, and female Elders ran women's business. The role of Elder's was to resolve conflicts that have something to do with sacred rituals and items, etc. For example, when a person witnesses a ritual which is considered wrong. Elders have many more roles, such as initiating people into characteristics of spirituality and religion.
Ethical Principles/Oral and Written Codes of Behaviour Ethical principles and codes of behaviour are very strict in Aboriginal society, as recorded through the oral tradition of the Dreaming. Values were taught daily through interacting with one another, song, dance and storytelling. As children grew, they were required to go through many initiation stages, in each they learnt about legal rules that Elders presented to the public, as it is one of the most important aspects in daily Aboriginal life - presenting rules about marriage, responsibilities in family, food, initiation and keeping peace. The people who held the most authority were the Elder men and women as they went through all initiations thus knowing all laws thoroughly. Their job was to keep peace and ensure that no man disrespected values and principles presented to the public.
Religious Experience and Spirituality Immediate Experience - it takes a while for ancestors or other spiritual beings to reveal themselves, Aboriginals do not expect for it to be immediate. Mediate Experience - Ancestor beings present themselves through a medium from a sacred place.