Australian Aboriginals, the very first inhabitants of Australia, occupied and utilized the entire continent by the time Europeans settled in 1788. The Aboriginals first came from Asia between 45,000 and 50,000 years ago, using land only available during the Ice Age and now submerged underwater with only islands as proof of a land bridge. When Europeans first inhabited the continent, the Aboriginal population varies from 300,000 to more than 1,000,000 people. In 1788, there were more than 200 different Aboriginal languages and as many as 500 groups. Although some groups shared a similar language, that does not necessarily mean they are connected, only culturally similar. Since the beginning of time, the Aboriginal people did not grow crops or domesticate animals, sending out groups to hunt and gather food, but still being connected to the sites and areas in their home territory. Over the past couple hundred years, the Aborigines have struggled to maintain their culture and religion because of the European invasion and oppression.
Overall, the different Aboriginal groups had similar religious beliefs, with some differences within ceremonies and stories in different areas in Australia. Aboriginal religion does not have a known superior being who rules over the people constantly like most world religions, but ancient ancestors that created everything and then left. These ancestors, called Dreamtime beings, once inhabited the Earth, creating and naming all humans, animals, and plants and then moved on to the spiritual realm. The Aboriginal people were left behind with laws, ceremonial customs, songs, and dances keep the balance within the land. Each ceremonial custom, songs, and dances are different to each Aboriginal group, each group having their own Dreamtime story of creation. These ceremonies and rituals are performed regularly, believed to keep the Dreamtime beings calm and keep nature in balance. In each clan there are spirit beings, people who are messengers to communicate with the living and introduce new knowledge into human society from the spiritual realm. As the introduction of Christianity from British missionaries increased in the early 19th century, the known believers of Aboriginal religion has decreased, only about 20% of Aboriginals living in the old Aboriginal land and practicing Aboriginal beliefs.
Since many Aboriginals have moved away from old Aboriginal land, finding and discovering more about certain Aboriginal groups has been very difficult. In the 1970s, the Australian Government gave back traditional Aboriginal land to the Aboriginals moved out of their traditional land. One of the largest Aboriginal groups in Australia is located in Arnhem Land in Northern Territory, Australia, called the Yolngu people. The Yolngu people’s culture continues to thrive, being one of the first group of Aboriginal people to speak out against the government’s oppression and paved a way for other Aboriginal groups to regrow. As the Yolngu people thrive, many movies and books are made about this specific group, showing the world about the diversity within Australia.
Photo Source: http://www.ruthdesouza.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/australia-map-aboriginal-nations.jpg
