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Music and songs often accompanied by dance movements have been a central element of Aboriginal Australian life since the beginning of time, playing an important part in their culture. There are songs for every event including: hunting, funerals, seasons, animals, and landscapes. Songs and Dances were learned and passed on to others by performing them in Corroborees Ceremonies. Aboriginals sang their country; and, performed ceremonies for their country.
The original ancestor
spirits taught others many songs for healing; for controlling the weather, and
for telling tribal history. The propagating powers they left behind in the
country to ensure plenty were best accessed during Corroborees through their
Dreaming symbols and Songlines.
Traditional music, song, and dance were a vital and powerful part of Corroborees, and Ritual Ceremonies performed at sacred sites which tell the Dreamtime lore connected with the place. Such Sacred Ceremonies were dramatic reenactments through song and dance of the tribal history. Aboriginal Australia music included traditional Ceremonial Songs handed down through the generations which replicated the songs sung by the ancestors during the Dreamtime. When these songs were sung, living men felt they were in the Dreamtime. There are different types of rituals that fulfill various purposes. The Aboriginals also created new songs from time to time when there were significant historical happenings. Clapping sticks, Didgeridoo, rattles, and two boomerangs clapped together were the most common musical instruments. The Danceman and Songman were respected men who were esteemed by the group because of their specialized song and dance skills. The songman performed songs passed down from his ancestors and also composed songs about everyday life. He was often asked to perform for other groups where he led others in a chorus. The Danceman specialized in miming the movements of animals and other ceremonial totemic portrayals. Songs could vary in length from several days to several weeks to several months. Although dance techniques vary between tribal groups, most of the dancing was done with lots of foot stomping which is now called "Shake a Leg". There were also arm, foot, and body movements that imitated the actions of birds and animals. Headdresses and body decorations enhanced the connection between dancer and totemic Dreaming. There were sacred ritual dances. There were dances for Dreaming events, for rain, and for successful hunts. There were also campfire dances where women, children, and men shared clan totem dances. Ceremonies were performed by Aboriginal Australians for their country... Continue on
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