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Today, the stories of these periods have been passed down in song and dance,
some depicted in rock art and represented in the natural features of the
landscape, as well as the land forms and the skies above. The story telling has
also evolved beyond the rock art and dot painting, with individuals and whole
communities producing abstract works that fit well with the modern galleries and
museums.
This is as simple as possible description of the Dreamtime, as we Europeans
can interpret it. It is a period that includes before, and the act of creation,
and the period that leads up to and culminates in human existence.3
‘Dreamtime Stories’ also referred to as ‘Dreamings’ are the stories that have
been passed down orally or detailed through pictorial expression that belong to
the mythology of the ‘Dreamtime’. In our modern age, Indigenous people may
provide a general interpretation of some of the stories, some expressed through
their modern art, although much of the finer detail, for many cultural reasons
are not revealed.
The Dreaming
The concept of ‘Dreaming’ are the stories owned by different tribes and their
members that explain the creation of life and all the living things therein.
These ‘Dreaming stories’ are passed down from the elders, stories told by
grandmother to children, although Aborigines cannot relate or paint someone
else’s dreaming or creation story without prior permission of the ‘Dreaming
owner’.
Among the Central Desert tribes of Australia, the passing of the Dreaming
story is for the most part gender related, such as with male tribal ceremonies
that the women are forbidden to witness or depict, and vice versa.
Despite the break down of the traditional ways for many Aboriginal, the
importance of ownership of the Dreaming is still observe by those who retain
their tribal and traditional connections and beliefs.4
There are a number of other online resources that go into more details about
‘Dreamtime’ and ‘The Dreaming’. Also check out the number of very good
Aboriginal owned and run websites.5
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