Wisdom from the Earth: The Living Legacy of the Aboriginal DreamtimeAustralian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are the oldest continuous living traditions on Earth. This book celebrates the deeply felt relationships between these Aboriginal peoples, the land, and their sacred heritage of the Dreamtime. All aspects of Aboriginal life derive their ultimate context from the Dreamtime--the primordial creation epoch that Aborigines have reenacted in ceremony since time immemorial--and from the essence they share with their Spirit Ancestors. This sacred source, known as the Law, underlies every activity of these people, fills all aspects of daily life with sacred purpose, and creates an enduring sense of connection for them to the land and to each other. Myth, kinship, song, dance and ceremony are all interwoven within a spiritual tradition that extends back into the timeless past and forward into an eternal future. Women and men occupy distinctly separate yet complementary spheres, each with its own unique traditions. And rituals celebrate every transition in life--from conception and birth, through entry into adulthood, to the ceremonies that make up "women's business" and "men's business," to the various stages of maturation, old age, and death. Wisdom from the Earth illuminates many facets of Aboriginal cultures and explores a number of the major Dreamtime songlines, ceremonies, and other spiritual practices, through eighty-two stunning color photographs accompanied by text--including some unforgettable dialogues with Aboriginal elders. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 52
Page 46
... sacred songs . In doing this , the men had stolen not only the songs of the women and their sacred rangga , but also the power to perform sacred ritual which , until then , was a power belonging only to the women . In this way did men ...
... sacred songs . In doing this , the men had stolen not only the songs of the women and their sacred rangga , but also the power to perform sacred ritual which , until then , was a power belonging only to the women . In this way did men ...
Page 141
... sacred and powerful ritual traditions in which they have , within the context of their traditional responsibilities ... sacred rituals and objects within the culture . The Djan'kawu Sisters mythical song line which underpins the most ...
... sacred and powerful ritual traditions in which they have , within the context of their traditional responsibilities ... sacred rituals and objects within the culture . The Djan'kawu Sisters mythical song line which underpins the most ...
Page 150
... sacred ritual objects which hold the title deeds to country stolen by men . The Ancestral Women , like most Dreamtime Women , usually carried their sacred ritual objects with them but decided one day to leave them behind in a tree while ...
... sacred ritual objects which hold the title deeds to country stolen by men . The Ancestral Women , like most Dreamtime Women , usually carried their sacred ritual objects with them but decided one day to leave them behind in a tree while ...
Contents
CONTENTS | 6 |
Creation | 22 |
Myths of the Eternal Dreamtime | 41 |
Copyright | |
7 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
Aboriginal cultures Aboriginal groups Aboriginal spiritual Aboriginal women animals Anna Voigt Arnhem Land Arrernte artist associated awelye Berndt body bush camp Central Australia child circumcision clan Coo-ee Aboriginal Art Courtesy of Coo-ee Creation custodians dance Diane Bell dilly bags Djan'kawu djang Dreaming track Earth elders female fire ground Gunwinggu hunting Ibid initiation Jiritja kangaroo Karora Kimberley knowledge Kukatja kunapipi Kunwinjku Library The University linked living male moiety mother Mount Allen Mudrooroo myth mythic mythology Nakarra Nakarra Namarrkon Ngalyod Ngarinyin Northern Territory Oodgeroo Noonuccal painting performed Pitjantjatjara plant Rainbow Serpent regions relationship rites ritual and ceremony rock role Rover Thomas sacred ritual sacred sites SANTA CRUZ senior Law singing sisters skin name snake song cycle song lines specific Spirit Ancestors symbolic tjurunga totemic traditional Aboriginal tribes University Library Wandjina Warlpiri waterholes Western Australia wunggud yawulyu yilpinji Yolngu
References to this book
The Dictionary of the Esoteric: 3000 Entries on the Mystical and Occult ... Nevill Drury Limited preview - 2004 |