Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are strong, rich and diverse. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity is central to this priority and is intrinsically linked to living, learning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, deep knowledge traditions and holistic world view” (Acara,n.d.). The Aboriginal people are the world’s most ancient living culture; they have occupied Australia for at least 50,000 years. The Aboriginal people lived in clans; each clan had a spiritual connection with their region. These clans all had different languages or dialects and would carry out certain rituals and totemic gatherings on the land. The Aboriginal people live by a legacy based on spiritual knowledge. They have a deep understanding of the land and are at one with the earth and nature. This knowledge of the land and spiritual world is brought together through rituals, art, dance, music and secret stories known as ‘dreamtime.

Torres Strait Islanders are the second group of Indigenous Australians and a minority within a minority” (Shnukal, n.d.). “Torres Strait Islanders are not mainland Aboriginal people who inhabit the islands of Torres Strait. They are a separate people in origin, history and way of life. From the waters of the Strait, where the Coral and Arafura Seas meet in one of the most fragile and intricate waterways in the world, rise hundreds of islands, islets, cays, reefs and sandbanks. All these are traditionally named, owned and used. No two islands are identical, each being shaped by its unique landscape, stories and history. In the past many more islands were inhabited. Islanders live today in 18 permanent communities on 17 islands although they continue to visit their traditionally owned islands for fishing, gardening, food collecting, camping and picnicking” (Shnukal, n.d.).Torres Strait Islander has different types of tribes. For example the tradition name for one of the tribe is Masig and the English name is York Island (I. Anson, personal communication, April 24, 2013). The Australian Curriculum: science values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. It acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have longstanding scientific knowledge traditions.

                                                            Reference

Australian curriculum. (n.d.). Aboriginal and torres strait islanders histories and cultures. Retrieved 10 April 2013 from 
             http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/CrossCurriculumPriorities/Aboriginal-and-Torres-Strait-Islander-histories-and-cultures

Shnukal, A. (n.d). Introduction. Retrieved 10 April 2013 from                  
            http://www.multiculturalaustralia.edu.au/doc/shnukal_torres_strait.pdf

Mungumby lodge. (2013). Cooktown/gungarde. Retrieved 24 April 2013 from                  
            http://www.mungumby.com/index.php/cultural/

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2PwPlYA4w0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqkgKkW8o6E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGWToL1Zo_U&list=PL3DD26FB38467ACA
 

                                          This is the Aboriginal Laura dance.

                                         Torres Strait Islanders traditional dance.