Aboriginal Spirituality can never be separated from land as the Aboriginal people hold extremely strong connections to the land. It extremely difficult to define let alone have a full understanding of especially without looking at a specific group or tribe of people. Each tribe have their own or their own variations of different ceremonies and rituals within them. Without being an Aboriginal person you will never be able to understand what spirituality is and means to them.
Beliefs
It's difficult to separate beliefs as a religion from Aboriginal spirituality as it is specifically spiritual but it is their culture and the way they live. However the connections to land and Dreaming can be seen as Aboriginal beliefs. Each person is born on their land and they know that when they die they will return to the land. They believe that the Dreaming is when their ancestors travelled over the earth and created all of life. The land, the sky and the laws.It's believed that when their ancestors passed away, they returned to the land creating the rivers, creaks and other bodies of water. All of the main know ways of indigenous life including hunting and gathering food, art, ways of resolving disagreements and forms of punishment are believed to be also created during this time.
Another Belief is the legend of the Rainbow Serpent. The Rainbow Serpent is depicted as a snake like creature thought to be female and it is believed that it is responsible for all the waterways and any water related events including rain, floods and waterfalls to name a few. The serpent is seen as a source of life, linking with water which is vital in order to survive. Although the Rainbow Serpent is seen as a source of life, it is also a fierce figure who is feared by traditional Aboriginal people. It is believed that when the Rainbow Serpent is disturbed, which can be done in the way of breaking a law (not necessarily a political law, but a cultural law), she will send thunderstorms to Earth as a form of punishment. The traditional people also believe that The Rainbow Serpent can eat a human whole and regurgitate their bones. Their bones then become large stones and are left as a reminder to others of what she is capable of.
Myths and other stories
Many of the myths and stories are strongly linked with Indigenous beliefs. Many of the stories hold great sacred meanings and can not be told to anyone who is not Aboriginal or an initiated person. This means that for some stories, even an Aboriginal person can not be told them until they become initiated. Many of the stories exist around different spirit figures including Bunjil who is an eagle and a spirit figure of the Kulin and Wotjobaluk tribes of western and south-eastern Victoria, Yhi the sun goddess and the Rainbow Serpent as discussed earlier. Each of these spirits hold many stories and legends within them. These are only a few and there are hundreds more which exist within different Aboriginal tribes.
Sacred texts and other Religious writings
The Story of the Rainbow Serpent is one of the most sacred writings/stories as it is one of the few which the variations within different Aboriginal groups isn't that much different whereas many of the other stories are different within different language groups and tribes.
Rituals
There are many Aboriginal rituals and they each follow a order of celebration usually based off the persons age. These include:
- Initiation: This is the transition from childhood to adulthood. For females this is quite a personal event involving the family but for males, they are required to become men and the event can often be long and sometimes painful.
- Mortuary Rites: This is a time of mourning and these rituals are prolonged off months and even years while the person who has passed away has moved into their next life and the people who are still living have had time to adjust. Included in this the desist person will not be spoken about and anyone who has the same name has her/him are required to change there name. In many communities there is a given name to be called if someone with the same name passes away. For example in the Arrente tribe they would be called Kuman.
- Cultic Rituals: Many rituals are relate with a spirit but are not associated with life events
- Rituals of Reconciliation: These rituals are aimed at reducing conflict within and around Indigenous tribes
- Initiation: This is the transition from childhood to adulthood. For females this is quite a personal event involving the family but for males, they are required to become men and the event can often be long and sometimes painful.
- Mortuary Rites: This is a time of mourning and these rituals are prolonged off months and even years while the person who has passed away has moved into their next life and the people who are still living have had time to adjust. Included in this the desist person will not be spoken about and anyone who has the same name has her/him are required to change there name. In many communities there is a given name to be called if someone with the same name passes away. For example in the Arrente tribe they would be called Kuman.
- Cultic Rituals: Many rituals are relate with a spirit but are not associated with life events
- Rituals of Reconciliation: These rituals are aimed at reducing conflict within and around Indigenous tribes
Symbols
Symbols are often shown through artworks and there is always a meaning and story behind the work that, for many of the works, can not be depicted by a non-Aboriginal person without being told.
Here are a few of the 'more simple' symbols to understand.
Here are a few of the 'more simple' symbols to understand.
Women's Ceremony
|
Stars
|
For more symbols and in depth meanings visit: http://www.aboriginal-dreamtime.net2go.info/Aboriginal/Aboriginal_Symbole.htm
Social Structure
Within Aboriginal communities there isn't a large hierarchy within the social structure. The elders hold a higher position as they have the greatest knowledge and are greatly respected within their community. Other than this, Indigenous people see themselves as equal to everyone and everything. They do not see themselves as better than anyone or superior to any part of the land or creation. They live on, work with and respect everything and everyone around them.