If you are planning a trip to Australia then you really should ensure you experience some Aboriginal Culture.
Aboriginal (or Aborigine) means Indigenous to Australia. They were the sole inhabiters of Australia before it was occupied by the British and other Europeans
It is estimated that before the colonisation of Australia there were more than 300,000 Aborigines. The European settlers brought with them old world diseases that wiped out thousands of the Aborigines. On top of that, the laws gave them no claim to the land which pushed the Aborigines out.
These days, there is only a very small percentage of the population that is Aboriginal (3%) Many have health problems or alcohol related problems. There are however still areas within Australia where Aboriginals abide by their old values and beliefs and it is a wonderful experience to spend some time with them. Sacred places such as Ayers Rock are steeped in Aboriginal tradition and as such are a good place to uncover the Aboriginal belief system.
Aboriginal Culture is complex with many beliefs and hidden layers to explore. Music and Art are however the most well known aspects. Did you know that the Didgeridoo is only used by those from the East? It is the clapping sticks which are more widely used by the Aboriginals.
Rock Art is the oldest of the Aboriginal Arts and can be found in places such as Ayers Rock and Kakadu National Parks as these are sacred Aboriginal lands. It is the dot paintings that are particularly popular with tourists and these are generally easy to find throughout Australia.
Where To Experience Aboriginal Australia
There are lots of places you can go to learn about the Aboriginal Culture. There is not room in this article to explore them all. Arnhem Land which is near Darwin in the top end of Australia is in my opinion the best place to go. Numbers are restricted to this sacred area so you can guarantee a less touristy approach. You really do get to appreciate the real culture and see real Aboriginals dot painting and making crafts. You can easily incorporate a day trip here as part of your trip to Darwin or Kakadu National Park and I highly recommend it. Remember that this area has defined seasons so only come here between May and October.
If Darwin is not on your to do list then consider an Aboriginal experience in one of the more visited areas such as Sydney. Two of the best experiences are The Blue Mountains Walkabout Tour or The Rocks Half Day Dreaming Tour. The second is taken by an Aboriginal Elder called Margaret Campbell and the tour is authentic and very interesting.
A trip to Australia just isn't complete without an understanding of this spiritual race.
Aboriginal (or Aborigine) means Indigenous to Australia. They were the sole inhabiters of Australia before it was occupied by the British and other Europeans
It is estimated that before the colonisation of Australia there were more than 300,000 Aborigines. The European settlers brought with them old world diseases that wiped out thousands of the Aborigines. On top of that, the laws gave them no claim to the land which pushed the Aborigines out.
These days, there is only a very small percentage of the population that is Aboriginal (3%) Many have health problems or alcohol related problems. There are however still areas within Australia where Aboriginals abide by their old values and beliefs and it is a wonderful experience to spend some time with them. Sacred places such as Ayers Rock are steeped in Aboriginal tradition and as such are a good place to uncover the Aboriginal belief system.
Aboriginal Culture is complex with many beliefs and hidden layers to explore. Music and Art are however the most well known aspects. Did you know that the Didgeridoo is only used by those from the East? It is the clapping sticks which are more widely used by the Aboriginals.
Rock Art is the oldest of the Aboriginal Arts and can be found in places such as Ayers Rock and Kakadu National Parks as these are sacred Aboriginal lands. It is the dot paintings that are particularly popular with tourists and these are generally easy to find throughout Australia.
Where To Experience Aboriginal Australia
There are lots of places you can go to learn about the Aboriginal Culture. There is not room in this article to explore them all. Arnhem Land which is near Darwin in the top end of Australia is in my opinion the best place to go. Numbers are restricted to this sacred area so you can guarantee a less touristy approach. You really do get to appreciate the real culture and see real Aboriginals dot painting and making crafts. You can easily incorporate a day trip here as part of your trip to Darwin or Kakadu National Park and I highly recommend it. Remember that this area has defined seasons so only come here between May and October.
If Darwin is not on your to do list then consider an Aboriginal experience in one of the more visited areas such as Sydney. Two of the best experiences are The Blue Mountains Walkabout Tour or The Rocks Half Day Dreaming Tour. The second is taken by an Aboriginal Elder called Margaret Campbell and the tour is authentic and very interesting.
A trip to Australia just isn't complete without an understanding of this spiritual race.
About the Author:
Jennifer Schellington has nearly 5 years of experience in travelling Australia and has recently become a new Mum Her site, www.realaustraliatravel.com gives useful information for planning your visit to Australia as well as where to go and what to do. Click here for more details on Aboriginal Australia
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