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Male and female Elders, who are respected by the clans and the tribe, pass on the traditional stories and skills, and give guidance because of their Dreamtime wisdom and knowledge of tribal law and lore. Dreamtime lore connected with a tribal belonging place, as well as, traditional music, song, and dance were a vital and powerful part of sacred ceremonies that became dramatic reenactments through song and dance of the tribal history.
All Aboriginal tribes tell
Rainbow Serpent Creation Stories that are descriptive of the creation of the
landscape where the storyteller lives. The Stories of the Dreaming about the law
and the celestial and terrestrial landscapes are passed down from generation to
generation.
Since they belong to a clan or a tribe, the Elders appoint a skillful and knowledgeable storyteller as their custodian. These stories teach ways to achieve harmony in relationships with others and within the community; and, emphasize the values of nurturing, sharing, balance, and cooperation. Today, in order to preserve the stories, the custodians are spreading the stories as widely as possible so the children can retain their belongingness and connectedness to the sacred world. Storytelling plays an important and an integral role in everyday Aboriginal Australia life. It is used to educate children about Aboriginal Australia cultural heritage; to pass on knowledge about Creation, ancestral beings, and places, and, how the land, plants, animals, and humans came into being; to explain Aboriginal Australia spirituality and laws; and to pass on information about the boundaries of tribal lands.
Although the overall themes are the same, Dreaming stories vary throughout Aboriginal
Australia. Rainbow Serpent artists often add clan symbols to the body of the
Rainbow Serpent, symbolic of the connection between the clan and the land,
especially with fertility, abundant plants and animals, protection, regenerating
rains, watercourses, and peace... Continue on Go back
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