Photos from the Real AUSTRALIA

Aboriginal Culture in the Northern Territory

Among the different Aboriginal groups in the Northern Territory, traditional culture is still a vital part of life. The music and dances always have their roots in the "dreamings", the creation myths, sung in the old languages while the actions of the performers illustrate the deeds of the "Dreamtime Heroes", the mythical beings that created the land and its features. Although they share much, each Aboriginal nation has its unique traditions and there are great differences between the songs and dances of the different regions of Australia. The differences are as great as between countries in Europe or Asia.

In central Australian communities the song cycles are sung by men, accompanied by boomerangs clapped together; traditionally only fully initiated men are allowed to do this. In Top End communities however, hard wooden clapsticks are used with the "didjeridu", the famous dronepipe made from a hollow log; although many Aboriginal groups use it now, as far as Queensland, the didjeridu is uniquely from Arnhem Land and was, in the old days, used nowhere else. In the Tiwi Islands to the north of Darwin, dances are accompanied by chanting and hand clapping; during their fast clan dances men often slap their upper legs.

Body decoration varies too. Clays and ochres are used and often charcoal as well. In the Top End, for social dances white clay is often slapped on the body in a fairly random fashion, but in serious ceremonies like initiations elaborate designs may be painted on the initiates' faces and bodies. Cottonwool, stuck to the body with sugar water in distict patterns is now often used in ceremonies as well. Among the desert peoples women paint elaborate designs, according to their kinship affiliation, on their bodies, while the men use "wamurlu", a vegetable down (kind of wild cotton), left in its natural light grey or coloured with red ochre. This "wamurlu" is stuck to the body and the designs always reflect the "dreaming" that is sung and is unique to the kinship affiliation of the dancer.

Although there are not many people anymore who live a completely traditional life, in remote communities the old people can still make fire the old way, or track game over vast distances. They would know what "bushtucker" to get in which place and in which season. They still observe the rigid rules of kinship. They know their language and have a great sense of belonging to their country. And they know their songs and dances.

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