Traditional Perspectives

Ngamonpurra (Conkleberry Bush) Ancestor Dreaming

Anmatjira links with the land shown in symbolic style.

For Aboriginal people the land is considered the Mother and giver of life.

Attributions

Artist Kaapa Mbijana Djambidjimba, Anmatjira Tribe, 1975.

Courtesy Anthony Wallace (Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd) and the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Traditional hunter

Traditionally Aboriginal people lived off the land and the sea.

Attributions

Courtesy Global Volunteers

Sunset coast scene near Rapid Bay

Much of Aboriginal law is intertwined with this relationship with the land and the sea.

Attributions

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J. W. GILES, Britain, 1801 - 1870 after George French ANGAS, Britain/Australia, 1822 - 1886, plate 21 of 'South Australia Illustrated' 1846-47, London (published by Thomas McLean) lithograph, printed in colour with brush highlights, on paper Courtesy Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide

Aboriginal dance red centre dreaming

In walking over the land, returning to sacred places, performing ceremonies, passing on knowledge and taking care of the country, the people fulfil their obligations to the ancestors.

Attributions

Courtesy Tourism NT.

Weapons of the Ngarrindjeri - Spears, Throwing Sticks, Shields, Clubs, Boomerangs

Although there were commonalities between groups the diverse range of ecologies led to the development of diverse lifestyles.

Attributions

1879
Courtesy South Australian Museum

Woven basket

European settlers had no understanding of how Aboriginal groups related to 'country' or of the complex languages and social organisation within groups.

Attributions

A2673
Courtesy South Australian Museum

Governor Davey's Proclamation

This graphic statement of the operation of British law was issued by Governor Arthur in 1830. Australia has a hidden history of fierce and violent altercations.

Attributions

Courtesy State Library of Tasmania

Warrior of Mt Barker

As settlement progressed traditional neighbours considered that laws against trespass were being breached and resisted the invasion.

Attributions

plate 23b.tif
Courtesy South Australian Museum

Bush Tucker

The land was cleared, the countryside was altered and the collection of native foods became more difficult.

Attributions

Courtesy Tourism NT

Killalpaninna Mission

On many mission stations Elders had their authority taken away. The missions taught Aboriginal people English and European ways and encouraged the abandonment of traditional languages and culture.

Attributions

Courtesy of the Lutheran Archives Photographic Collection, Adelaide

Aboriginal Stockmen

Pioneers and pastoralists needed Aboriginal people to work on their stations as stockmen and domestics.

Attributions

nla.pic-vn3549098-v
Courtesy National Library of Australia

Fishing and diving for seafood

Aboriginal health suffered after white settlement. Alcohol and foods high in sugar and fat had a devastating effect.

Attributions

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Joseph Lycett, watercolour 1817 Courtesy National Library of Australia

Mabuiag Island sailing boat through palm trees.

The Torres Strait Islanders are Melanesian related to the people of Papua New Guinea.

Attributions

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Hurley, Frank, 1885-1962 Courtesy National Library of Australia

Outrigger Canoe from Darnley Island

Island lifestyle before European settlement was in harmony with nature the people living off the land and the sea.

Attributions

nla.pic-an10129035-v
Courtesy National Library of Australia

Dugong, Turtle

Traditional Torres Strait Islander foods from the sea.

Attributions

Dugong Courtesy Christopher Y Bartlett, Turtle Courtesy http://www.marine.uq.edu.au/

Taro garden

Considerable ritual was associated with gardening for subsistence, ceremonies and festivals.

Attributions

Courtesy Permaculture.org

Village gathering Mabuiag

Island populations met regularly to trade in animal and vegetable products.

Attributions

nla.pic-vn3314127-v
Courtesy National Library of Australia

TSI dancer with deri headdress

Local customs were powerfully bound to the environment and wildlife.

Attributions

nla.pic-an23382012-v
Courtesy National Library of Australia

5 views of Thursday Island

With the introduction of western culture traditional life rapidly changed.

Attributions

nla.pic-an3317686-v
Courtesy National Library of Australia

Diver collecting pearlshell, Men unloading pearlshell

When the pearling industry collapsed after World War II many Islander people moved to the mainland.

Attributions

nla.pic-an23208255-v
nla.pic-an3313853-v
Courtesy National Library of Australia