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Storytelling and Stories of the Dreaming were told around these campfires, where things of concern were also discussed and important information relayed. These stories about the law and the celestial and terrestrial landscapes were passed down from generation to generation. They taught ways to achieve harmony in relationships with others and within the community; and, emphasized the values of nurturing, sharing, balance, and cooperation. Since the Dreaming Stories belong to a clan or a tribe, the Elders appointed a skillful and knowledgeable storyteller as their Custodian. Dreaming law and lore told the tribe about their spiritual history, how to treat each other, and how to conduct their daily life. Suitable punishments for individual transgressions of these tribal and totemic laws were determined by knowledgeable Elders.
Elders were respected by the clans and the tribe because they passed on the traditional stories and skills. 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. The Elders use every available opportunity to teach the children about their way of life and their relationship to the sacred world. Stories are told as they walk to the waterholes, as they grind seeds, and as they sit around the campfire. Age does not make one an Elder. Elders are men and women, regardless of age, who are asked for guidance because of their Dreamtime wisdom and knowledge of tribal law and lore. Some information is sacred and can only be revealed to initiated men and women Ritual life is divided into men's business and women's business. Women are instructed about their ritual performance by Elder women in the women's camp; and, men are instructed about their ritual performance by Elder men in the men's camp... Go back
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