1. Aborigines of Australia
Ga Standards
SS6H8, SS6H9

2. INDIGENOUS PEOPLE Aborigines Native Americans Location: Australia
Location: North and South America

3. ABORIGINAL ORIGINS
The term aborigine comes from a Latin word that means “from the beginning.”
Aborigines have occupied Australia for at least 40,000 years
Arrived from Southeast Asia

4. ABORIGINAL LANGUAGE Over 250 different languages
Languages can be divided into 10 – 24 language families.
Language helps to maintain connection to ancestors, land, law, and culture.
“Kangaroo” comes from the word ‘gangurru” in the Guugu Yimidhirr language

5. ABORIGINAL ECONOMY Hunters and Gatherers Way of life slow to change
Nomads: moved from place to place in search of food
Practice a traditional economy

6. ARTS & INVENTIONS
Boomerang
Didgeridoo
Ground Axe
Boomerang
Ground Axe

7. ARTS AND BELIEFS History passed down through oral story telling
Rock Art illustrates the Aboriginal belief of Dreamtime

8. RELIGION Dreamtime is the spiritual belief of the Aborigines.
It influences religion, behavior, and law and order.
Dreamtime stories also explain how animals, plants, water sources, and other natural beings were formed by spirit beings.

10. SACRED SITES Uluru is a sacred site to the Aborigines
It was created during the Dreamtime
Ceremonies are still performed there
Rock art can be viewed in the caves
It is also known as Ayers Rock

11. CUSTOM & TRADITIONS
Ceremonies that include chanting, singing, dancing, or ritual action is done to ensure a good supply of food or rain
Other ceremonies include initiation of boys and girls into adulthood as well as funeral ceremonies.

12. GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL STRUCTURE
Tribes could number as many as 500 people
Tribes included “hordes” which could be 10 to 20 people
Dreamtime stories form the basis for law and order