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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

The Aboriginals

The Aboriginals settled the Australian continent more than 40,000 years ago. They lived in total isolation from the rest of the world, existing by hunting and gathering. In the 18th century, the Europeans arrived, forcing the Aboriginals off their territories. Today, many feel isolated from white societal but still try to Preserve their tribal identity.

Ways of life

Traditionally, Aboriginals lived by hunting and gathering. They were nomadic, roaming over large ;tretches of territory setting up temporary camps near watering places, and moving on when food supplies were exhausted. They traded with other tribes, exchanging goods such as spears.

Aboriginal history

Aboriginals first reached Australia during the last Ice Ptge. Sea levels were low and they were able to cross fron southeast Asia over land bridges and small stretches of water. When the ice melted and sea levels rose again, the continent was completely cut off. Initially, the settlers clung to the coasts and rivers, but gradually moved across the continent. By the time Europeans arrived, there were about 500 different tribal groups living in Australia.

Hunting and gathering Aboriginals

Aboriginals lived by hunting animals such as kangaroos, and supplemented their diet with wild plants, nuu, and berries, The hunters used spears with stone blades and wooden boomerangs,a type of missile that flies back to the thrower. Some tribes developed an elaborare sign language, so that they could send silent messages to each other when they were stalking game. Aboriginal hunters used silent signals ro avoid disturbing the game. The sign for kangaroo starts with a closed hand and moves to an open shape.

Aboriginal Dreamtime

The Aboriginals believe that Dreamtime is a period when Ancestral Beings shaped the land, creating all species and human beings. These beings are thought to live on eternally in spirit form. Human beings are believed to be a part of nature, closely associated with all other living things. Images of spirits of Dreamtime, such as Lightning Man, cover sacred cliffs and caves in tribal areas.

Uluru (ayers Rock) Aboriginals believe that the Ancestral Beings created the Australian landscape, and established customs traditions still followed today. They have left evidence of their presence in the many sacred places, such as Uluru in central Australia. This is revered a sacred place by the local Aranda people. Once called Ayers Rock by the Australian government, rock regained its Aboriginal name in 1988.

CONCLUSION

European colonists arrived in Australia in 1788 displaced Aboriginal tribes from their territory. Today, there are about 250,000 Aboriginals in Australia, many of whom live in urban areas. Although there is still discrimination, Aboriginals are beginning to benefit from government aid, and to assert their civil rights.